Dryopteridales

Taxobox
name = Dryopteridales

---

image_width = 200px
image_caption = "Polystichum lonchitis"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Pteridophyta
classis = Pteridopsida
ordo = Dryopteridales
subdivision_ranks = Families
subdivision =
*Dryopteridaceae
*Elaphoglossaceae
*Lomariopsidaceae

The Dryopteridales are the Wood ferns and Sword ferns. Their segregation as a discrete order is well-supported by modern genetic evidence. They are widespread in temperate and tropical zones, with a few genera adapted to mountain climates.

All ferns in Dryopteridales have scaly rhizomes and stipes. They may have either crowned or shortly-creeping rhizomes.

Dryopteris is from the Greek, "drus" (drys), "oak", and "pteris" (pteris), "fern", meaning "fern of the oak wood".