What is the classification for ferns?

Ferns belong to the classification Pterophyta, which is a group of vascular plants characterized by their production of spores rather than seeds. Unlike gymnosperms and angiosperms, which reproduce through seeds, ferns reproduce through a process called alternation of generations, where they have both a leafy sporophyte stage and a smaller gametophyte stage. Pterophyta includes various types of ferns, which exhibit unique features such as fronds and the ability to thrive in a variety of environments, often in moist, shaded areas. This classification reflects their evolutionary history and biological characteristics, distinguishing them from other plant groups.