Rhizome erect, stout, may produce offshoots. Stipe short, 1/3?1/5 the length of the blade, fasiculate, densely covered with mid-brown to reddish brown scales, the larger scales thin, glossy, firm membranous, usually reddish brown, linear, lanceolate to ovate, attenuate, to 30 mm long or more; blade mostly oblanceolate, gradually narrowed below, deeply pinnate-pinnatifid next to the rachis in the proximal part of the frond; pinnae linear-lanceolate, basal pair usually more triangular but equilateral, underside of the costa next to the rachis with costal scales tan, triangular, variable, larger ones mostly attenuate, kinky; segments (pinnules) typically closely placed, narrowly oblong, weakly falcate, their apices mostly blunt-rounded, dentately toothed or untoothed, segment side margins mostly weakly crenate, lowest basiscopic segment (pinnule) next to the rachis not free and its side margins subentire. Sori medial, borne on upper part of frond.

Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, astringent, febrifuge, haemostatic, vermifuge and vulnerary (root stalks).

Plants for a Future

As a worm expellent for humans, in the treatment of internal haemorrhage, uterine bleeding, mumps, feverish illnesses, abscesses, boils, carbuncles and sores (root)