Dryopteris aemula grows as a crown of fronds arising from a short ascending rhizome.

Leaves are tri-pinnate, triangular-ovate or triangular-lanceolate, 15–60 cm (5.9–23.6 in) long, often arching, semi-evergreen and pale yellow-green.

Pinnae are slightly concave giving the frond a characteristic crisped appearance.

Dryopteris aemula is confined to the atlantic coastal areas of western Europe and Macaronesia.

Even within Great Britain, it is restricted to western districts and has just a few outlying eastern localities such as The Weald.