Rhizome creeping, 2-6mm in diameter. Fronds are erect with fertile fronds significantly larger than sterile fronds; stipe chestnut-coloured, densely set with a mixture of hairs and scales; lamina deeply 2-pinnatifid to 3-pinnate, upper surface with sparse twisted hairs, undersurface densely set with pale brown to whitish hairs. Sporangia are small and individual and marginal, indusium absent, (indusium is an epidermal outgrowth which covers the sori when young).

When growing in exposed situations, the plant may die down during summer but recovers fast after first winter rains.

Leaves exude a musty scent when bruised. When dried and pulverized the fronds were made into an ointment with fat and used to ease pain caused by scalding or burning..

Endemic to South Africa.