Below are lists of extant fern families and subfamilies using the classification scheme proposed by the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group in 2016 (PPG I). The scheme is based on molecular phylogenetic studies, and also draws on earlier classifications, particularly those by Smith et al. (2006), Chase and Reveal (2009), and Christenhusz et al. (2011). It rejects the very broad circumscription of some families used by Christenhusz and Chase (2014), whose Aspleniaceae corresponds to the entire suborder Aspleniineae of PPG I.

Systematic order

  • Class Polypodiopsida Cronquist, Takht. & W.Zimm. (ferns, including horsetails)

Subclass Equisetidae Warm. (horsetails and scouring-rushes) Order Equisetales DC. ex Bercht. & J.Presl Family Equisetaceae Michx. ex DC Subclass Ophioglossidae Klinge (whisk ferns, adder's-tongues and moonworts) Order Psilotales Prant Family Psilotaceae J.W.Griff. & Henfr. Order Ophioglossales Link Family Ophioglossaceae Martinov Subfamily Helminthostachyoideae C.Presl Subfamily Mankyuoideae J.R.Grant & B.Dauphin Subfamily Ophioglossoideae C.Presl Subfamily Botrychioideae C.Presl Subclass Marattiidae Klinge (marattioid ferns) Order Marattiales Link Family Marattiaceae Kaulf Subclass Polypodiidae Cronquist, Takht. & W.Zimm. (leptosporangiate ferns) Order Osmundales Link (royal ferns) Family Osmundaceae Martinov Order Hymenophyllales A.B.Frank (filmy ferns and bristle ferns) Family Hymenophyllaceae Mart Subfamily Trichomanoideae C.Presl Subfamily Hymenophylloideae Burnett Order Gleicheniales Schimp Family Matoniaceae C.Pres Family Dipteridaceae Seward & E.Dale Family Gleicheniaceae C.Presl Order Schizaeales Schimp. Family Lygodiaceae M.Roem Family Schizaeaceae Kaulf Family Anemiaceae Link Order Salviniales Link Family Salviniaceae Martinov Family Marsileaceae Mirb. Order Cyatheales A.B.Frank (tree ferns) Family Thyrsopteridaceae C.Presl Family Loxsomataceae C.Presl Family Culcitaceae Pic.Serm Family Plagiogyriaceae Bowe Family Cibotiaceae Koral Family Metaxyaceae Pic.Serm. Family Dicksoniaceae M.R.Schomb. Family Cyatheaceae Kaulf. Order Polypodiales Link Suborder Saccolomatineae Hovenkamp Family Saccolomataceae Doweld Suborder Lindsaeineae Lehtonen & Tuomist Family Cystodiaceae J.R.Croft Family Lonchitidaceae Doweld Family Lindsaeaceae C.Presl ex M.R.Schomb. Suborder Pteridineae J.Prado & Schuettp Family Pteridaceae E.D.M.Kirchn. Subfamily Parkerioideae Burnett Subfamily Cryptogrammoideae S.Lindsay Subfamily Pteridoideae Link Subfamily Vittarioideae Link Subfamily Cheilanthoideae Horvat Suborder Dennstaedtiineae Schwartsb. & Hovenkamp Family Dennstaedtiaceae Lotsy Suborder Aspleniineae H.Schneid. & C.J.Rothf Family Cystopteridaceae Shmakov Family Rhachidosoraceae X.C.Zhang Family Diplaziopsidaceae X.C.Zhang & Christenh. Family Desmophlebiaceae Mynssen Family Hemidictyaceae Christenh. & H.Schneid. Family Aspleniaceae Newman Family Woodsiaceae Herter Family Onocleaceae Pic.Serm. Family Blechnaceae Newman Subfamily Stenochlaenoideae (Ching) J.P.Roux Subfamily Woodwardioideae Gasper Subfamily Blechnoideae Gasper, V.A.O.Dittrich & Salino Family Athyriaceae Alston Family Thelypteridaceae Ching ex Pic.Serm. Subfamily Phegopteridoideae Salino, A.R.Sm. & T.E.Almeid Subfamily Thelypteridoideae C.F.Reed Suborder Polypodiineae Dumort. Family Didymochlaenaceae Ching ex Li Bing Zhang & Liang Zhang Family Hypodematiaceae Ching Family Dryopteridaceae Herter Subfamily Polybotryoideae H.M.Liu & X.C.Zhang Subfamily Elaphoglossoideae (Pic.Serm.) Crabbe, Jermy & Mickel Subfamily Dryopteridoideae Link 2 genera unassigned to a subfamily Family Nephrolepidaceae Pic.Serm. Family Lomariopsidaceae Alston Family Tectariaceae Panigrahi Family Oleandraceae Ching ex Pic.Serm. Family Davalliaceae M.R.Schomb. Family Polypodiaceae J.Presl & C.Presl Subfamily Loxogrammoideae H.Schneid. Subfamily Platycerioideae B.K.Nayar Subfamily Drynarioideae Crabbe, Jermy & Mickel Subfamily Microsoroideae B.K.Nayar Subfamily Polypodioideae Sweet Subfamily Grammitidoideae Parris & Sundue 1 genus unassigned to a subfamily

Alphabetic order

See also