Lemmon’s holly fern (Polystichum lemmonii) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 7

Population Sizes and Trends

The single population of P. lemmonii occurs on two adjacent, rocky ridges. The ridges, which are about 280 and 200 m long by 50 m wide are separated by a distance of 160 m. A 2001 count of all plants in the population by the author revealed a total of 853 plants over 0.72 ha. Although a collection by D.M. Britton in 1987 (at Department of Agriculture, Ottawa), mentions a population size of "perhaps a thousand plants" but the estimate was likely not based on a detailed count. This information would indicate that the population has remained relatively stable for at least 15 years. The population examined in 2001 also contained numerous younger plants that appeared vigorous.

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