The taxonomic history of the Ricciaceae (1937-1995) is reviewed. Over the years many attempts have been made to subdivide and rearrange the taxa in this large and puzzling family, but consensus has still not been reached. Hepaticologists are therefore urged to undertake more revisions worldwide, using modem methods of investigation to aid them in. hopefully, coming to an eventual agreement in defining the limits of subgenera, sections, species and subspecies in the Ricciae. In addition, a classification of sub-Saharan Ricciaceae. partially based on informal groups, is herein proposed. Keywords: classification, groups, history, Ricciaceae, sections, species, subgenera. sub-Saharan Africa.