It was one of the many species authored by Scottish botanist Robert Brown, appearing in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.

The stems are black and can reach 90 cm (36 in) in length, while the fronds or blades are triangular with rectangular segments.

[5] Adiantum formosum is found in Queensland, and New South Wales, and into Victoria, where it is less common.

It is often seen growing in moist areas or along streams usually on alluvial soils, Adiantum formosum is generally found in rainforest or in nearby open eucalyptus forest, where it may form a large colony.

[3] Easy to grow in cultivation, Adiantum formosum makes a good subject for container gardening.