| Description:
|
Rhizome short-creeping; rhizome scales dark brown, ovate to narrowly triangular in outline , apex gradually tapering to a point, ending in hair-tip, 1–4 x 0.5 mm, from cordate or peltate base, with paler margin. Fronds spaced, 50–80 cm long, 3-pinnatisect. Stipe black, 25–33 cm long, to 2 mm thick, hairless or nearly so. Lamina oblong in outline, 25–40 x 9–12 cm, apex decrescent. Pinnae 15–20, 2-pinnatisect, deltoid-ovate or deltoid-oblong in outline, to 7.5 x 3.5–4 cm; pinnules trapezoid-rhombic, to 2 x 1–1.3 cm, base cuneate, the ultimate segments spatulate with (sub-)truncate and denticulate apex; scaly when young with scales similar to those of rhizome. Rhachis with ovate (Kivu) or thread-like and lobed (Ninagongo, Usambara) scales. Sori lateral on veins, 2–5 mm long, not reaching margin; indusium entire, to 0.4 mm wide. |