Rhizome creeping; rhizome scales dark red-brown, triangular-ovate in outline, margin entire, to 6 x 1.3 mm, apex gradually tapering into a hairtip. Fronds spaced, erect, to 18 cm long. Stipe 4.5–7 cm long, near base with dense scales similar to those of rhizome, higher mixed up with linear-lanceolate scales, ciliate near base. Lamina elongate-triangular in outline, to 11 x 4.5 cm, 2-pinnate to 3-pinnatifid, gradually decrescent towards apex. Pinnae in 6–11 pairs, opposite or alternate, elongate-triangular in outline, to 2.5 x 1–1.3 cm; pinnules deeply 3-partite to 3-lobed on lower pinnae, entire higher up, 3–4-dentate at apex, with lanceolate lacerate-dentate scales. Rhachis with scales similar to those of stipe (2 kinds). Sori 1–3 per lobe, linear, 1.5–5 mm long; indusium 0.5 mm wide.

goetzei: named after W. Goetze (1872-1899), German naturalist, explorer, photographer and collector of botanical and zoological specimens in Tanzania.

See African distribution.

Dem. Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania .

Epiphytic.