Fronds finely divided 3-4 times, the ultimate segments about 1 mm wide. Stalk and midrib dark brown with red-brown hairs (glandular hairs in upper part); midrib with a zig-zag arrangement. Blade ovate to elliptic in outline, to 80 cm long, a little prickly to the touch, pale green, the undersurface covered with short, yellow, glandular hairs. Can grow in cool areas.

A rapidly-spreading fern with the potential to become weedy, especially on disturbed sites (as in New Zealand).

NZ.

Finely dissected fronds with alternate branching, axis slightly zig-zag on mature fronds; marginal sori; sticky hairs; indusium with inner membranous flap.

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Dennstaedtiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.