Rhizome erect, slender; rhizome scales thick, triangular falcate in outline, apex long tapering, shining chestnut, sparsely covered in rigid bristles, variable in size, maximum 12 mm long. Fronds monomorphic, tufted, slender, up to 58 cm long, herbaceous. Stipe slightly grooved above, semi-circular below, slender, in developed leaves 29-31 x 0.16-0.3 cm, above densely elsewhere sparsely minutely hairy, the base set with scales similar to but shorter than rhizome scales. Lamina 2-pinnatifid, ovate in outline, 22-27 x 15-18 cm, olive green when dry; pinnae ca. 17 pairs, oblong in outline, apex pointed and curved upward, closely set but not touching each other, up to 8-9 x 1.5 cm, up to 1-1.5 mm incised from the rib, hairy on both sides; pinnules oblong in outline, oblique, distally slightly curved, apex obliquely rounded, margin entire and hairy, c. 10 x 3.5 mm, lower acroscopic pinnule is clearly larger, auriculate, ineaquilateral, asymmetrically subovate, margin more minutely subcrenate; rhachis grooved above, semi-round below, hairy; veins all free, 7-9 on each side of the lobe, undivided, not meeting below the sinus, one vein reaching the sinus. Sori slightly supramedial; indusium kidney-shaped, with short, abundant hair. (translated from Latin, needs to be checked with specimens.)

Resembles C. gueinziana but differs in having smaller and more thinly textured fronds, shorter and broader pinnae set with only acicular hairs, an ovate lamina, lowest pair of pinnae deflexed and almost as long as next one, indusia set with acicular hairs only.

burundensis: from Burundi, the country where this fern was first collected.

Sunny earth-banks along the road.

See African distribution.

Burundi, Rwanda.

Terrestrial.