Aaron John Sharp brought the species to the attention of pteridologists Warren H. Wagner and Alma Gracey Stokey.

The few V. appalachiana sporophytes known have had rhizomes with clathrate (lattice-patterned) scales, and undivided, linear fronds less than 5 millimeters (0.2 in) long, features typical of vittarioid ferns except for their small size.

[5] Most populations of V. appalachiana are composed solely of gametophytes, which take the form of a thin green thallus, which is sparsely to extensively branched.

The thallus bears filament-like structures called gemmae which project from its margin near the tips of the branches.

[5] Vittaria appalachiana grows in dense colonies in dark, moist crevices in non-calcareous rock.