They are divided into two subfamilies with eight genera and about 150 species in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia and North and South America.

The leaflets occur with several sub-parallel, dichotomously branching longitudinal veins; they lack a mid rib.

Female sporophylls are simple, appearing peltate, with a barren stipe and an expanded and thickened lamina with 2 (rarely 3 or more) sessile ovules inserted on the inner (axis facing) surface and directed inward.

The former family Stangeriaceae (which contained Bowenia and Stangeria) has been shown to be nested within Zamiaceae by phylogenetic analysis.

[2][3] Dioon Macrozamia Lepidozamia Encephalartos Bowenia Ceratozamia Stangeria Zamia Microcycas