Cheilanthes distans

Rhizome short, semi-erect or horizontal; scales narrow and tapering, dark with paler margins, shiny. Fronds clustered near tip of rhizome, stiffly erect, usually small; fertile fronds 3–30 cm tall, 1–2 cm wide at broadest point. Stipe shorter than lamina, slender, dark brown, densely scaly when young. Lamina narrowly oblong, 2-pinnate, dull and dark green; rachis brown, shiny, moderately to densely covered with pale scales. Pinnae usually well separated along rachis, short; pinnules shallowly lobed, blunt; lower surface moderately to densely clad in pale, flat scales, 2–3 mm long, with fine tips; upper surface with or without scattered, long, white hairs. Sori protected by reflexed margins of shallow lobes; spores dark brown and spherical.