Polypodium calvatum Baker, J. Bot. 17: 304. 1879; Cyclophorus calvatus (Baker) C. Christensen; C. esquirolii H. Léveillé; Niphobolus calvatus (Baker) Diels; Pyrrosia pseudocalvata Ching, Boufford & K. H. Shing.

Plants 25-70 cm tall. Rhizome short or occasionally shortly elongated, 2-6.8 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous or up to 2.5 cm apart, lateral buds on or close to phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 6.5-11 × 0.7-1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen dull brown, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 6-15 cm, (0.1-)0.2-1 × as long as lamina; lamina widest at ca. middle, 25-60 × 2-5 cm, base narrowly cuneate and long decurrent, apex long acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument mostly fugacious, dimorphic, thin or occasionally dense, dirty grayish; upper layer with hairs 0.8-1.3 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, ± mixed with a lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial. Sporangia with stalks ca. 1 × as long as capsule.

The whole plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an astringent and to promote diuresis.

● On tree trunks or rocks in forests; 400-1800 m. Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.