Key to the exindusiate Dryopteris species of Central Africa (D.R. Congo, Rwanda, Burundi)

1 Frond apices with scaly gemmae, stipe scales lacking glands and apex not fimbriate ................................................... D. manniana

- Fronds without scaly gemmae, stipe scales with glands, or apex irregularly fimbriate, divided into long and uniseriate fissures ..... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................2

2 Lower stipe scales bent downwards, broadly ovate, apex fimbriate, divided into long uniseriate and irregular fissures, lower montane rainforest below 2000 m ................................................................................................................ D. schizopaleata sp. nov.

- Lower stipe scales bent upwards, ovate–lanceolate, acuminate, margin denticulate, erose, tapering into acuminate apex, upper montane forest to bamboo forest above 2000 m ..................................................................................................... D. ruwenzoriensis