The compound eaves fork multiple times, with the final leaf lobes ending in a pinnate arrangement.

[4] The sori occur in a unique chamber in the laminar pits - a feature found only in this genus.

[7] There are, however, multiple genera in the fossil record that show a similar leaf branching pattern to Gleichenia, which can make it difficult to determine the exact identity of a specimen that does not have adequately preserved fruiting bodies.

[8] Fossils have been found in across a wide geographic range including: The following species are recognised as of February 2023:[1][2][11][12] Phylogeny of Gleichenia[13][14] G. polypodioides (L.) Sm.

G. abscida Rodway (Dwarf coral fern) G. inclusisora Perrie, L.D.Sheph.