Saccolomataceae has been formerly treated as a member of the Dennstaedtiaceae

Dennstaedtiaceae

Dennstaedtiaceae is one of fifteen families in the order Polypodiales, the most derived families within monilophytes . It includes the world's most abundant fern, Pteridium aquilinum . Members of the order generally have large, highly divided leaves and have either small, round intramarginal sori...

, however it has been classified as its own family according to Smith et al. . The genera Saccoloma has been classified to include Orthiopters.The monophylogeny of the group is still being studied.

Saccolomataceae is described as pantropical, generally with the following characteristics: Terrestrial; rhizomes short-creeping to erect and trunk-like; petiole

Petiole (botany)

In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...

s each with an omega-shaped vascular strand; blades pinnate to decompound and lacking articulate hairs; veins free; sori terminal on the veins; indusia pouch- or cup-shaped.