It comprises 10 genera with ca 240 known species,[2] including one of the world's most abundant ferns, Pteridium aquilinum (bracken).

Members of the order generally have large, highly divided leaves and have either small, round intramarginal sori with cup-shaped indusia (e.g. Dennstaedtia) or linear marginal sori with a false indusium formed from the reflexed leaf margin (e.g. Pteridium).

Generally, the family is pantropical, but due to the distribution of Pteridium (the most widespread fern genus), Dennstaedtiaceae can be found worldwide.

The spore is light and robust, so it can travel relatively far and colonise open, disturbed environments easily.

non Rafinesque 1814 Paesia Saint-Hilaire 1833 Hiya Shang 2018 Histiopteris (Agardh 1839) Smith 1875 Blotiella Tryon 1962 Hypolepis Bernhardi 1805 non Palisot de Beauvois ex T. Lestib.

[5] The rhizomes of Pteridium esculentum contain about 50% starch when they grow in loose rich soil, at relatively deep depths.

[5] The leaves and spores of the Pteridium esculentum are associated with toxins and carcinogens, and have been known to cause stock (cattle, sheep, horses, pigs) to sicken.