These are the simplest of the land plants and are often conspicuous in moist, terrestrial habitats in Nova Scotia. The 1987 Checklist of Mosses in Canada lists over 550 taxa from the province. Mosses (Musci) are scattered throughout most terrestrial and many littoral, aquatic habitats. Liverworts (Hepaticae) of both the leafy forms (Jungermanniales) and thalloid (rosette-like) forms (Metzgeriales and Marchantiales) occur widely in moist, terrestrial, and semi-aquatic situations in Nova Scotia. Hornworts (Anthocerotae) are thalloid plants with cylindrical (hornlike) sporangia (spore-bearing structure) arising from the thallus surface.

This Document Includes:

Mosses
Liverworts
Hornworts

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Additional Keywords:
Hair-cap Moss, Schreber's Moss, Stair-step Moss, broom mosses, Sphagnum, peat, fountain moss, bogs.

Associated Topics:

T10.4 Plant Communities in Nova Scotia
T10.6 Trees
T10.11 Lichens

Associated Habitats:

H3.3 Bottom Lotic (Rivers and Streams)
H3.5 Water's Edge Lotic (Rivers and Streams)
H3.6 Water's Edge Lentic (Lakes and Ponds)
H4 Freshwater Wetlands
H5 Terrestrial Unforested
H6 Forests