Rhizome ascending, short, scaly. Stipe reddish, 25-45 cm, muricate, scaly at base, scales not expanded at base; lamina 2-pinnatifid, oblong-ovate in outline, 30-50 cm; lateral pinnae 4-9 pairs, opposite; basal pinnae each with a basiscopic pinnule similar to main part of pinna but smaller; middle pinnae sessile, narrowly lanceolate, pectinately divided; segments 20-26 pairs, often opposite, narrowly oblong-falcate, to ca. 15 × 5 mm, margin entire, apex subacute.

Fraser-Jenkins (Taxon. Revis. Indian Subcontinental Pteridophytes, 108. 2008) included Pteris scabristipes within P. aspericaulis.

● Taiwan.