Pseudo-corm 3-lobed; bud scales 3-lobed, blackish. Leaves 4-10, in a rosette, erect, 32-48 mm long, ± 3 mm at base, subulate to terete, tapering to a slender point. Ligule triangular. Velum complete. Sporangium oblong-ovate, up to 2.5 x 1.5 mm. Megaspores grey-white when immature and dark grey-brown when old and wet, (0.32)0.45-0.5 mm in diameter, distal surface sparsely covered with rounded warts with convex sides, proximal surface without warts.

labri: bathtub, draconis: of the dragon; referring to habitat, this fern grows submerged in deep sandstone tarns in the Drakensberg, the mountain of the dragon.

Submerged in deep sandstone tarns that usually do not dry out in winter.

See African distribution.

South Africa.

Terrestrial.