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.

mildbraedii: named after G.W.J. Mildbraed (1879-1954), German explorer, botanist specialized in mosses and ferns. He was the plant collector on four German expeditions to Central Africa and keeper at the Berlin Botanical Museum in 1913.

Montane or bamboo forest, alpine zone; fairly widespread with wide habitat and altitude range.

See African distribution.

Burundi, Dem. Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania , Uganda.

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