Terrestrial, lithophytic or epiphyitic with creeping to sub-erect rhizome up to 7mm in diameter. Fronds closely packed, tufted. Stipe 80-400mm long, dark brown, densely covered with hair-like scales up to 2mm long. Lamina very variable in shape, size and degree of dissection; pinnae ovate to narrowly lanceolate, apex sharply acute to acuminate, sometimes drawn out into thin, narrow terminal segment. Sori linear, 3-14mm long, closely packed along veins.

Extreme variability of this species often creates confusion.