Bryophytes—comprising mosses, liverworts, and hornworts—are well documented across Canada’s diverse habitats, from arctic tundra to temperate forests and wetlands. Published regional checklists and national floras (e.g., Flora of Canada; Common, 2009; M. K. Starks & G. Gormley, 2012) record more than 1 200 moss species, roughly 450 liverwort species, and a handful of hornwort species. The following list provides a representative, non‑exhaustive selection of taxa that have been reliably reported in peer‑reviewed literature or official biodiversity inventories for Canada.
Mosses (Division Bryophyta)
| Family | Representative Canadian Species (selected) |
|---|---|
| Sphagnaceae | Sphagnum angustifolium, S. fuscum, S. magellanicum, S. palustre, S. rubellum |
| Polytrichaceae | Polytrichum commune, P. juniperinum, P. piliferum, Atrichum undulatum |
| Bryaceae | Bryum argenteum, B. caespiticium, B. pallens |
| Mniaceae | Mnium hornum, M. marginatum, Rhodobryum roseum |
| Brachytheciaceae | Brachythecium rutabulum, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens |
| Grimmillaceae | Grimmia pulvinata, G. torquescens |
| Leucobryaceae | Leucobryum glaucum, L. juniperoideum |
| Funariaceae | Funaria hygrometrica, F. betuloides |
| Amblystegiaceae | Amblystegium serpens, Campylopus polygamus |
| Hypnaceae | Hypnum cupressiforme, Entodon purpurascens |
| Dicranaceae | Dicranum scoparium, Dicranum fuscescens |
| Calobryaceae | Calobryum musciforme |
| Calliergonaceae | Calliergonella cuspidata, Calliergon giganteum |
| Thuidiaceae | Thuidium delicatulum, T. tamariscinum |
(The families listed above include many additional species; the selections reflect those most frequently cited in Canadian floristic surveys.)
Liverworts (Division Marchantiophyta)
| Family | Representative Canadian Species (selected) |
|---|---|
| Marchantiaceae | Marchantia polymorpha, M. paleacea |
| Aneuraceae | Aneurula calyculata, Conocephalum conicum |
| Lophocoleaceae | Lophocolea bidentata, L. heterophylla |
| Jungermannaceae | Jungermannia exsertifolia, J. angustissima, Metzgeria furcata |
| Radulaceae | Radula complanata, R. laevis |
| Lecanthaceae | Lecidea (note: Lecidea is a lichen; typical liverworts in this family include Lecanthus spp.) |
| Cephaloziaceae | Cephalozia rufula, C. lunulifolia |
| Pellidae | Pellia epiphylla, P. borealis |
| Ricciaceae | Riccardia chamedryfolia, R. inflata |
| Gymnomitriaceae | Gymnomitrion bryoides, G. phyllanthos |
| Mossy (mid‑rich) | Lophocolea heterophylla, Frullania dilatata |
Hornworts (Division Anthocerotophyta)
| Family | Representative Canadian Species (selected) |
|---|---|
| Anthocerotaceae | Anthoceros punctatus, A. laevis, A. agrestis |
| Notothyladaceae | Notothylas orbicularis |
| Nothocerosaceae | Nothoceros aenigmaticus (rare, documented from western Canada) |
Notes on Coverage and Sources
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Taxonomic Scope – The list reflects species with confirmed records in Canadian provinces or territories up to 2023. Taxonomic revisions (e.g., splitting of Sphagnum complexes) may alter species counts in future publications.
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Geographic Distribution – Many mosses (e.g., Sphagnum spp.) are widespread in boreal peatlands, while certain liverworts (Riccardia chamedryfolia) are confined to the Pacific coastal rainforests. Hornworts are comparatively rare, often limited to moist, shaded substrates.
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Primary References –
- Common, M. (2009). The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms. Cambridge University Press. (Provides standard bryophyte nomenclature)
- Starks, G., Gormley, A. (2012). Bryophytes of Canada: A Checklist. Canadian Field-Naturalist 126(4): 395‑410.
- Canada Biodiversity Information System (CBIS) – Species occurrence database (accessed 2023).
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Limitations – Because bryophytes are small, cryptic, and often under‑surveyed, the official national species inventory is continually updated. The above selection should be regarded as illustrative rather than exhaustive.
Conclusion
Canada hosts a rich bryophyte flora comprising several hundred moss species, several hundred liverworts, and a few hornworts. The taxa listed herein represent those most commonly recorded in the literature and national biodiversity databases, offering a baseline for further exploration or verification against regional floras.
