Schizaeales

Schizaeales is an order of ferns that includes families such as Schizaeaceae, characterized by specialized leaf morphology and spore-bearing structures. Members produce flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and unique fern-specific secondary metabolites. In biomedical research, Schizaeales is of interest for its antioxidant and cytoprotective activities, although it remains relatively underexplored. Its phylogenetic position provides insight into fern evolution and early diversification of vascular plant secondary metabolism.