Leaves monomorphic or weakly subdimorphic, 10--30 cm. Blade 4-pinnate, 3--12 cm, nearly as wide as long, thin to thick. Ultimate segments narrowly lanceolate to deltate, 2--6 mm; midrib obscure or evident abaxially. Sori of mature blades ± discrete to usually subcontinuous, 3--7(--9) per segment; indusia semicircular to usually elongate and connecting several adjacent sori, margins with 6--10 irregular and prominent teeth and/or lobes. 2 n = 120.

Generally on serpentine slopes, in crevices, and on rock outcrops; 100--1400 m; Calif.

Aspidotis carlotta-halliae is a fertile allotetraploid species derived from hybridization between A . californica and A . densa . Occasional sterile backcrosses are found.