Madeira Shield-Fern vs soft shield-fern

Polystichum drepanum compared with Polystichum setiferum

Key Differences

• Madeira Shield-Fern is Critically Endangered while soft shield-fern is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Madeira Shield-Fern	soft shield-fern
Kingdom same	Plantae (พืช)	Plantae (พืช)
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 drepanum	Polystichum setiferum

Evolutionary Relationship

Madeira Shield-Fern and soft shield-fern share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Polystichum.

Conservation Status

Madeira Shield-Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

soft shield-fern

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Madeira Shield-Fern	soft shield-fern
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic 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.

soft shield-fern

Habitat

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

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇵🇹 Portugal