Archangiopteris was previously considered an independent genus from Angiopteris, but molecular studies (Murdock 2008) have proven that the genus is deeply embedded within Angiopteris in a broad sense, even though it does form a monophyletic clade within this genus.

This clade differs from other Angiopteris in having once pinnate fronds with creeping dorsiventral rhizomes. In these characters the genus has some similarities with Danaea, but in this genus the pinnae are always opposite. The genera Protomarattia and Protangiopteris are well embedded within the Archangiopteris clade and cannot be kept separate for that reason.

Species of the Archangiopteris clade occur in Southern China, Hainan, Taiwan and Northern Vietnam in the understory of tropical forests.