Lance-Leaf Moonwort vs Least Moonwort

Botrychium lanceolatum compared with Botrychium simplex

Key Differences

• Lance-Leaf Moonwort is Vulnerable while Least Moonwort is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lance-Leaf Moonwort	Least Moonwort
Kingdom same	Plantae (식물)	Plantae (식물)
Phylum same	Tracheophyta	Tracheophyta
Class same	Polypodiopsida (고사리강)	Polypodiopsida (고사리강)
Order same	Ophioglossales (고사리삼목)	Ophioglossales (고사리삼목)
Family same	Ophioglossaceae	Ophioglossaceae
Genus same	Botrychium	Botrychium
Species	Botrychium lanceolatum	Botrychium simplex

Evolutionary Relationship

Lance-Leaf Moonwort and Least Moonwort share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Botrychium.

Conservation Status

Lance-Leaf Moonwort

VU — Vulnerable

Least Moonwort

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lance-Leaf Moonwort	Least Moonwort
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lance-Leaf Moonwort

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and United States. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇮🇸 Iceland 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States