Madeira Shield-Fern vs Western Sword-fern

Polystichum drepanum compared with Polystichum munitum

Key Differences

• Madeira Shield-Fern is Critically Endangered while Western Sword-fern is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Madeira Shield-Fern	Western Sword-fern
Kingdom same	Plantae (Plants)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum same	Tracheophyta	Tracheophyta
Class same	Polypodiopsida (Polypodiopsida)	Polypodiopsida (Polypodiopsida)
Order same	Polypodiales (Polypodiales)	Polypodiales (Polypodiales)
Family same	Dryopteridaceae	Dryopteridaceae
Genus same	Polystichum	Polystichum
Species	Polystichum drepanum	Polystichum munitum

Evolutionary Relationship

Madeira Shield-Fern and Western Sword-fern share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Polystichum.

Conservation Status

Madeira Shield-Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

Western Sword-fern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Madeira Shield-Fern	Western Sword-fern
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Madeira Shield-Fern

Habitat

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

Range

Found in Portugal. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Western Sword-fern

Habitat

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

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and North America (Canada).