A taxonomic revision of the species of the genus Selaginella Beauv. has been undertaken. The study was concentrated on the species of the subgenus' Stachygynandrum (Beauv-) Bak. found in West Africa and Madagascar. On the basis of the examination of the morphological features - vegetative and reproductive -a total of 29 species have been recognized to be present in West Africa and Madagascar. Twenty species occur in West Africa, 11 species are found in Madagascar while two species are common to both areas. All the 29 species have been described, illustrated and keys for their identification given. A new species - S. serrato-squarrosa Quansah - from West Africa has been identified. A proposed scheme of classification for the genus Selaginella. is given. In this scheme, the genus is divided into two subgenera - Selaginella Bak. and Stachygynandrum - while subgenus Stacchygynandrum is subdivided into two sections - Ibmiostachys (Bak. ) Quansah and Heterostachys (Bak. ) Quansah.