Branched Moonwort vs Least Moonwort

Botrychium matricariifolium compared with Botrychium simplex

Key Differences

• Branched Moonwort is Extinct while Least Moonwort is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Branched Moonwort	Least Moonwort
Kingdom same	Plantae (Plants)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum same	Tracheophyta	Tracheophyta
Class same	Polypodiopsida (Polypodiopsida)	Polypodiopsida (Polypodiopsida)
Order same	Ophioglossales (Ophioglossales)	Ophioglossales (Ophioglossales)
Family same	Ophioglossaceae	Ophioglossaceae
Genus same	Botrychium	Botrychium
Species	Botrychium matricariifolium	Botrychium simplex

Evolutionary Relationship

Branched Moonwort and Least Moonwort share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Botrychium.

Conservation Status

Branched Moonwort

EX — Extinct

Least Moonwort

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Branched Moonwort	Least Moonwort
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Branched Moonwort

Habitat

Typically found in moist, shaded forest floors and tropical canopies.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (Canada, United States).

Least Moonwort

Habitat

Inhabits boreal forests and taiga within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found across Europe (8 countries) and North America (United States). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Branched Moonwort

The Branched moonwort (Botrychium matricariifolium) is a species in the genus Botrychium. It is currently classified as Extinct on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in moist, shaded forest floors and tropical canopies.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 6 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States