Pteridopsida - Definition and Overview

Pteridopsida ~ Modern Ferns
Tree fern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pteridophyta Class: Pteridopsida
Subclasses
Subclass: Cyatheatae Subclass: Schizaeatae Subclass: Pteriditae Subclass: Polypoditae

The Pteridopsida is a class of plants in the Division Pteridophyta that includes the "modern" ferns. The Pteridopsida is sub-divided into four subclasses to reflect likely cladistics. These classes (and their included orders) are:

• Subclass: Cyatheatae
  • Order: Cyatheales (the tree ferns)
  • Order: Plagiogyriales
  • Order: Loxomales
• Subclass: Schizaeatae
  • Order: Schizeales (including the climbing ferns)
  • Order: Marsileales (the water-clovers, mosquito fern, water-spangle)
• Subclass: Pteriditae
  • Order: Lindseales
  • Order: Pteridales (including the brakes and maidenhair ferns)
  • Order: Dennstaedtiales (the cup ferns)
  • Order: Hypolepidales (including bracken)
• Subclass: Polypoditae
  • Order: Aspleniales (the spleenworts)
  • Order: Athyriales (including the lady ferns, ostrich fern, maiden ferns, etc.)
  • Order: Dryopteridales (the wood ferns and sword ferns)
  • Order: Davalliales (including the rabbits-foot ferns and Boston ferns)
  • Order: Polypodiales (including the rock-cap ferns or Polypodies)

See also

• Resurrection fern -- a member of the Polypodiales.