Cibotiaceae

Cibotiaceae is a small family of tree ferns within the order Cyatheales, represented primarily by the genus Cibotium, distributed in tropical and subtropical forests. These ferns produce bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids, which contribute to their resilience in humid forest environments. In biomedical research, Cibotiaceae is of interest for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective activities, although it remains relatively underexplored compared to flowering plant systems. Its evolutionary position among tree ferns provides valuable insight into early vascular plant chemistry and the diversification of secondary metabolite pathways.