Elaphoglossum (Dryopteridaceae) is the world's second largest fern genus, witqqh about 600 species worldwide. It is pantropical, but most species-rich in the Neotropics, where ca. 80% of the species occur. One of the main clades within this genus is the “Subulata clade", which is characterized by the presence of subulate scales. These scales are usually patent and have strongly revolute margins for all or most of their length, which gives them a conical shape and hence the name "subulate", meaning awl-shaped. Despite advances in Elaphoglossum systematics from the use of molecular phylogenetic analyses, taxonomic sampling of the subulate-scaled species has been limited. In the present study we aimed: (1) to reconstruct a global multilocus plastid phylogeny of Elaphoglossum with focus on the Subulata clade by greatly expanding the taxonomic sampling of the subulate-scaled species; (2) to test the monophyly of the Subulata clade; (3) to test the monophyly of the subclades previously identified within the Subulata clade, and to identify new subclades that could be subsequently monographed; (4) to detect new species complexes and cryptic speciation among the subulate-scaled species by including multiple accessions of widely distributed taxa; and (5) to investigate the evolution of 12 morphological characters that have been traditionally used in the subgeneric classification of Elaphoglossum; (6) to build a phylogenetic foundation for future taxonomical studies of this complex group of ferns. Outgroup sampling included two species of different bolbitidoid genera: Bolbitis serratifolia and Mickelia scandens. Sampling of Elaphoglossum included 142 accessions representing 120 species of Elaphoglossum. Because our main focus was the Subulata clade, the species of this clade were more densely sampled (89 species). The latter number might be slightly higher because of unnamed members of species complexes related to E. barbatum, E. erinaceum, and E. hybridum. Multiple accessions were included for these three species to test their monophyly. Our results support the monophyly of the genus. Elaphoglossum amygdalifolium was recovered as sister to E. wrightii plus the remaining 118 species of the genus. These 118 species clustered into four major clades: Elaphoglossum [Squamipedia + Lepidoglossa, Subulata]. The Subulata clade was also supported as monophyletic, and it was further divided into 15 subclades here named Setosa, Pilosella, Undulata, Eximia, Pacifica, Lindenia, Zebrina, Glaziovia, Decursiva, Hymenodium, Decorata, Cotoia, Erinacea, Apoda, and Hybrida. Phylogenetic relationships within each of these clades are discussed in detail, with mention to their main diagnostic features. Our results provide important insights into the systematics of these plants, providing a useful framework from which morphologically recognizable clades could be chosen for monographs, and other questions could be addressed.