The erect trunk of
Alsophila erinacea is up to tall, 7–10 cm in diameter and has black spines. The arching
fronds are
bipinnate, up to 3.5 m long and form a sparse crown. The
rachis and
stipe are scaly and may be either straw-coloured or brown to dark brown. The
scales are bicoloured, having a dark brown to blackish centre and pale whitish margin, as well as a terminal
seta. Characteristically of this species,
pinnule veins bear whitish scales with star-shaped setae.
Sori are round and form on either side of the pinnule midvein. They are covered by globose
indusia. ==References==