The spores of Dryopterioideae from Taiwan were studied with scanning electron microscope. Eight genera and 45 species were observed. The spores were monolete and ellipsoidal to somewhat global. The spore macro-ornamentations were mostly rugate, tuberculate, cristate and reticulate, few are echinate. Surface micro-ornamentations observed were granulate, echinulate, fenestrate, sharp columellate, scale, and rugate. Based on observed spore ornamentation similarities and differences, the following points toward current different classification systems can be made: The echinulated spore ornamentation found in Tectaria and Dryopsis were quite different from others being studied and this result supported that Dryopterioid ferns are different from Tectarioid ferns. Lastreopsis have similar spore ornamentation with genera in Dryoterideae, but not Tectarioid ferns. The result agreed with molecular data but not traditional classification. Few species of Dryopteris had their distinct spore ornamentations and may be better classified into a subgenus in Dryopteris. One group of Polystichum had spore ornamentation quite different from other groups and this group may be classified into a subgenus of Polystichum. The spore ornamentations support that Cyrtomium be included in Polystichum.