Plants terrestrial or epilithic, evergreen or seasonally green, creeping, (5-)15-45 cm or more. Rhizophores at intervals. Main stems pinnately branched, stramineous; primary leafy branches 3-9 pairs or more, once or twice pinnately branched, secondary branches once or twice forked, branchlets sparse, adjacent primary branches on main stem 1-2(-5) cm apart, leafy portion of main stem including leaves 4.5-6(-8.5) mm wide at middle, ultimate branches 3.6-4.2(-6.5) mm wide including leaves. Axillary leaves on branches symmetrical or asymmetrical, ovate-lanceolate, (1.2-)2-3(-3.8) × (0.6-)1.2-1.8 mm, margin subentire, denticulate or ciliolate in basal half. Dorsal leaves asymmetrical, obliquely ovate, 1.6-2(-2.8) × 0.5-0.8(-1.2) mm, base subcordate, margin denticulate or shortly ciliolate (at least at base), apex aristate, arista short to more than 1/2 length of dorsal leaf and often reflexed. Ventral leaves spreading or slightly deflexed, asymmetrical, oblong-ovate, (1.6-)2-3(-3.6) × 1-1.8 mm, apex acute or obtuse; basiscopic margin subentire or minutely denticulate; acroscopic base enlarged, broader, overlapping stem and branches, margin subentire or minutely denticulate. Strobili solitary, terminal, compact, tetragonal, 3-17 × 2-4.6 mm; sporophylls uniform, white-margined, ovate, sharply carinate, margin denticulate or ciliolate, apex aristate; megasporophyll only 1 at base on lower side of strobilus, elsewhere microsporophylls or megasporophylls in basal portion on lower side, or megasporophylls and microsporophylls at intervals; microsporangia elliptic; microspores yellowish orange, megaspores whitish.
Anhui, Chongqing, Gansu, Guangxi, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.
Under shrubs in wet shaded places on rather dry slopes, often in limestone areas; 100-2300 m.