Rhizomes erect; rhizome scales reddish brown, linear, 1.5-1.8 mm. Stipe dark stramineous, 50-60 cm; stipe scales appressed, dark brown, narrowly lanceolate, 5-6 mm; scales on rachis and costae similar but smaller. Lamina 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid, triangular, 40-50 × 35-45 cm; pinnae 8-10 pairs; basal pinnae largest, triangular, 20-30 × 10-15 cm; pinnules 8-10 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae longest, 8-10 × 3-4 cm; bases of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent, without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina papery; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from costae. Sori submedial or near midvein, exindusiate, some sori covered by scales. Perispore coarsely echinate.

● Near streams in bamboo forests; 600-800 m. Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan (Emei Shan).