Perennial. Rhizome short, thick. Leaves usually 5-20 cm, densely tufted, short-petioled; blade oblong-lanceolate in outline, 1-2 (-3)-pinnatisect, dark green, covered on both surfaces with white or yellow fleece or almost glabrescent above; segments ovate or lanceolate, obtuse, cut into small, entire or dentate lobes rounded at apex; petioles yellow-brown, shiny, densely covered with narrow scales. Sori covering almost the whole surface of lobes and concealed by fleece. March-April (Summer-dormant).

     Occurs in two forms: f. lanuginosa with lobes hairy on upper surface, and f. cheilanthoides with lobes dark green and glabrescent on upper surface.