The Athyriales is one of the largest fern orders, including not only tropical ferns but many of the temperate ferns. The classification as shown here is strongly supported by genetic evidence. The Athyriaceae and the Blechnaceae are especially close, as are the Onocleaceae and Woodsiaceae.

This order includes some important ferns, including the sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis, which grows as a virtual weed throughout much of its temperate North America range, and the ferns of the genus Thelypteris, which is a genus that has shown remarkable speciation. It also includes one of the more common horticultural ferns, the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris.