Rhizome short, erect; rhizome scales ovate-triangular in outline, apex tapering to a point, formed of thick-walled central cells, thinner-walled marginal ones, clear lumen. Fronds monomorphic, tufted, subcoriaceous. Stipe 5-9 cm long, greyish, grooved apically, scaly at the base. Lamina pinnate, oblong in outline, 30-35 x 10-12 cm, basal pinnae slightly reduced, the upper ones gradually decreasing, apical pinna linear, deeply pinnatifid; pinnae 20-30 pairs, lanceolate in outline, sickle-shaped, apex pointed, base uneven, basiscopic side oblique over 1/3 of the length of the pinna, acroscopic side with an auricle, margin toothed, 7 x 1-2 cm, sessile or short-petiolate; rhachis winged in the upper part, set with small scales; costa apperent; veins forked, not reaching the margin. Sori 0.2-0.6 cm long, oblong in outline, very much sunken into the lamina, not reaching the costa or the margin.

staudtii: named after A. Staudt, German botanist and botanical collector (? - 1897), he first discovered this fern in Lolodorf, Cameroon.

In sunny places.

See African distribution.

Cameroon, Dem. Republic of Congo.

Epiphytic, terrestrial.