Braun'S Holly Fern vs Madeira Shield-Fern

Polystichum braunii compared with Polystichum drepanum

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Braun'S Holly Fern	Madeira Shield-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 drepanum

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Braun'S Holly Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

Madeira Shield-Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Braun'S Holly Fern	Madeira Shield-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 Shield-Fern

Habitat

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

Range

Found in Portugal. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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