Doryopteris takeuchii, a member of the Pteridaceae (maidenhair fern) family, is a terrestrial fern with creeping to erect rhizomes (stems) bearing a cluster of 5 to 25 stipe (frond stalk) bases. Fronds are 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 in) long. Stipes are round, about 1 mm (0.04 in) in diameter, dark maroon to black, and glabrous except at the very base. Blades are 1- to 2-pinnate-pinnatisect (two rows of pinnae on either side of the axis, and cut all the way to the axis), elliptic-triangular, pale green and papery. The rachis (midrib of the frond) is unwinged between the two lower sets of pinnae, and often between the second and third pinnae pairs. Pinnules (second pinnae division) and ultimate segments are ovate to linear, 2 to 5 mm (0.08 to 0.2 in) wide, slightly tapering to obtuse tips. The fused sori usually extend to the segment tips.