De familie Desmidiaceae Ralfs kent 36 geslachten.
| Actinotaenium (Naegeli) Teiling | Euastrum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs | Pleurotaenium Nägeli |
| Allorgeia Gauthier-Li | Groenbladia Teiling | Prescottiella C.E.M.Bicudo |
| Amscottia Groenblad | Haplotaenium T.Bando | Sphaerozosma Corda ex Ralfs |
| Arthrodesmus Ehrenberg ex Ralfs | Heimansia Coesel | Spinocosmarium G.W.Prescott & A.M.Scott |
| Bambusina Kützing ex Kützing | Hyalotheca Ehrenberg ex Ralfs | Spondylosium Brébisson ex Kützing |
| Bourellyodesmus Compère | Ichthyocercus West & G.S.West | Staurastrum (Meyen) Ralfs |
| Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs | Ichthyodontum A.M.Scott & G.W.Prescott | Staurodesmus Teiling |
| Cosmocladium Brébisson | Micrasterias C.Agardh ex Ralfs | Streptonema Wallich |
| Croasdalea C.E.M.Bicudo & C.T.J.Mercante | Onychonema G.C.Wallich | Teilingia Bourrelly |
| Cruciangulum D.B.Williamson | Oocardium Nägeli | Tetmemorus Ralfs ex Ralfs |
| Desmidium C.Agardh ex Ralfs | Phymatodocis Nordstedt | Triploceras J.W.Bailey |
| Docidium Brébisson ex Ralfs | Pleurotaeniopsis (P.M.Lundell) G.Lagerheim | Xanthidium Ehrenberg ex Ralfs |
