[1] While generally supposed to have affinities to Matoniaceae, some research has suggested that they have closer affinites to the Marattiales, though its morphology is strongly divergent from both of these groups.

They are thought to have grown similar to modern tree ferns, with an upright stem topped with a crown of fronds.

[2] The genus first appeared in the Middle Jurassic with remains found in North Africa and Georgia.

The youngest remains of the genus are known from the early Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of Europe and North Africa.

[3] Weichselia has been interpreted as being xeromorphic,[2] and has been suggested that they grew in savannah[3] and/or coastal environments.