 While each other species of "Gleichenia" have a repetitively branching frond, "G. abscida"'s frond consists of just two blades, with the apical axil between these two blades lacking meristematic tissue.Multiple stipes (25–40), 9–46 cm long, with fronds up to 65 cm in length, arise from long creeping rhizomes 2.5–3.5 mm in diameter.Scaly rounded pinnules 1–2 mm across, with flat adaxial surfaces and strongly recurved into an abaxial pouch, hold sori of 2–4 sporangia.