Brauns Schildfarn vs Western Sword-fern

Polystichum braunii compared with Polystichum munitum

Key Differences

• Brauns Schildfarn is Critically Endangered while Western Sword-fern is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Brauns Schildfarn	Western Sword-fern
Kingdom same	Plantae (Pflanzen)	Plantae (Pflanzen)
Phylum same	Tracheophyta	Tracheophyta
Class same	Polypodiopsida (Echte Farne)	Polypodiopsida (Echte Farne)
Order same	Polypodiales (Tüpfelfarnartige)	Polypodiales (Tüpfelfarnartige)
Family same	Dryopteridaceae	Dryopteridaceae
Genus same	Polystichum	Polystichum
Species	Polystichum braunii	Polystichum munitum

Evolutionary Relationship

Brauns Schildfarn and Western Sword-fern share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Polystichum.

Conservation Status

Brauns Schildfarn

CR — Critically Endangered

Western Sword-fern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Brauns Schildfarn	Western Sword-fern
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Brauns Schildfarn

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found across Europe (4 countries) and North America (Canada, United States). 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).

Brauns Schildfarn

The Braun'S Holly Fern (Polystichum braunii) is a species in the genus Polystichum. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇨🇦 Canada 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇴 Norway