Braun'S Holly Fern vs Christmas Fern

Polystichum braunii compared with Polystichum acrostichoides

Key Differences

• Braun'S Holly Fern is Critically Endangered while Christmas Fern is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Braun'S Holly Fern	Christmas Fern
Kingdom same	Plantae (planta)	Plantae (planta)
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 braunii	Polystichum acrostichoides

Evolutionary Relationship

Braun'S Holly Fern and Christmas Fern share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Polystichum.

Conservation Status

Braun'S Holly Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

Christmas Fern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Braun'S Holly Fern	Christmas Fern
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Braun'S Holly Fern

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.

Christmas Fern

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Canada, and United States.

Braun'S Holly Fern

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

Christmas Fern

The Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a robust, evergreen fern in the family Dryopteridaceae, native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Kansas and Nebraska. It is one of the most common and widely recognized ferns in eastern North American forests, frequently encountered in deciduous and mixed woodland understories, shaded stream banks, rocky slopes, and ravine walls. The common name refers to the fact that the dark green fronds remain green through the winter, including the Christmas holiday season, making them a traditional decoration in some areas. The stipe and rachis are covered in brown scales, and the pinnae have a distinctive ear-like auricle at their base pointing toward the frond tip. Like other Polystichum species, the Christmas fern produces dimorphic fronds: sterile fronds with broad pinnae and fertile fronds with narrower, spore-bearing pinnae toward the tip. The species forms clumps that can persist for decades in suitable habitat. It is tolerant of shade and a variety of soil conditions, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. The Christmas fern is commonly used in native plant landscaping and is considered secure in conservation terms throughout its range.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇨🇦 Canada 🇺🇸 United States