The nomenclature related to Tectaria subpedata (Harr.) Ching (Tectariaceae) is clarified. The misidentification of T. subpedata is documented by a comprehensive study of herbarium specimens, wild and cultivated plants, spore morphology, gametophyte development, and chromosome count. The type of T. subpedata is confirmed to be a young frond of T. polymorpha (Wall. ex Hook.) Copel. A synonym of T. subpedata, namely Nephrodium morsei Baker, represents a separate species and is here recognized as Tectaria morsei (Baker) P. J. Edwards ex S. Y. Dong. Based on the sporophyte morphology, gametophyte development and distribution, the affinity and position of T. morsei is briefly discussed.