s are Bipinnate, growing in fairly dense clumps, occasionally with a short trunk. The Rachis has a narrow groove, with conspicuous ridges on either side, and is covered in narrow rust-coloured scales. The name Mother Shield-Fern comes from the plant's habit of developing baby fern plants near the tip of matures Fronds. As the Frond dies, and falls to the ground, the new plant may take root and develop close to its parent plant. This will often lead to dense colonies of ferns developing. Sori are spherical developing in two rows on the back of the Pinnate.