Korea Flora: Habit: Similar to Dryopteris monticola but distinguished by horizontally spreading or downward-pointing scales; leaves fasciculate.
Stipe: 10-20 cm long, densely scaly; base thickened.
Scales: Spreading, linear to broadly linear; dark brown; reflexed; base dilated like a gourd shape.
Blade: Oblong-ovate to ovate; apex acute; 15-30 cm × 10-15 cm.
Pinnae: Shortly stalked.
Pinnules: Linear-oblong to lanceolate; apex and base acute; decurrent; basal pinnules halfway to deeply pinnatifid.
Sori: Central or near costa of pinnules; indusium round-reniform with entire margins.
Related Taxa: Dryopteris saxifragivaria Nak. (Gwangneung-jokjebi-gosari):
Hybrid between D. monticola and D. saxifraga Blade pentagonal Scales spreading in all directions Found in Gwangneung area
Note: Distinguished from D. monticola by spreading or reflexed scales with gourd-shaped bases.

[Translated from Flora of Korea by T.B. Lee]