Braun'S Holly Fern vs Western Sword-fern

Polystichum braunii compared with Polystichum munitum

Key Differences

• Braun'S Holly Fern is Critically Endangered while Western Sword-fern is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Braun'S Holly Fern	Western Sword-fern
Kingdom same	Plantae (植物)	Plantae (植物)
Phylum same	Tracheophyta	Tracheophyta
Class same	Polypodiopsida (水龍骨綱)	Polypodiopsida (水龍骨綱)
Order same	Polypodiales (水龙骨目)	Polypodiales (水龙骨目)
Family same	Dryopteridaceae	Dryopteridaceae
Genus same	Polystichum	Polystichum
Species	Polystichum braunii	Polystichum munitum

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Braun'S Holly Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

Western Sword-fern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Braun'S Holly Fern	Western 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.

Western Sword-fern

Habitat

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

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and North America (Canada).

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

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇨🇦 Canada 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇴 Norway