Braun'S Holly Fern vs Madeira Sword-Fern

Polystichum braunii compared with Polystichum falcinellum

Key Differences

• Braun'S Holly Fern is Critically Endangered while Madeira Sword-Fern is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Braun'S Holly Fern	Madeira Sword-Fern
Kingdom same	Plantae (plantas)	Plantae (plantas)
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 falcinellum

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Braun'S Holly Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

Madeira Sword-Fern

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Braun'S Holly Fern	Madeira Sword-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.

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.

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