Plants terrestrial. Fronds simple (linear) or fan-shaped, variously cleft and with dichotomous free veins. Sporangia on marginal, elaminate, branched or unbranched projections at lamina tips, not in discrete sori, exindusiate; spores bilateral, monolete, 128-256 per sporangium; gametophytes green and filamentous (Schizaea), or subterranean and non-green, tuberous (Actinostachys Wallich). Base chromosome numbers: x = 77, 94, 103.

Ching Ren-chang, Fu Shu-hsia, Wang Chu-hao & Shing Gung-hsia. 1959. Schizaeaceae. In: Ching Ren-chang, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 2: 114-115.

Two genera and ca. 30 species: pantropical; one genus and two species in China.

(Authors: Zhang Xianchun (张宪春); John T. Mickel)