Madeira Sword-Fern vs Western Sword-fern

Polystichum falcinellum compared with Polystichum munitum

Key Differences

• Madeira Sword-Fern is Near Threatened while Western Sword-fern is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Madeira Sword-Fern	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 falcinellum	Polystichum munitum

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Madeira Sword-Fern

NT — Near Threatened

Western Sword-fern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Madeira Sword-Fern

Habitat

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

Range

Found in Portugal. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Western Sword-fern

Habitat

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

Range

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