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Moss

Mosses are small, non-vascular, spore-bearing land plants in the division Bryophyta.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mosses are small, non-vascular, spore-bearing land plants in the division Bryophyta. They are found worldwide in moist or shady habitats and are among the simplest land plants, lacking true roots, stems, and leaves. Estimates of living moss species vary, with sources commonly giving totals above 12,000 species.

Description

Mosses are tiny green plants with simple structures and no flowers or seeds. They are non-vascular, meaning they do not transport water and nutrients through xylem and phloem like flowering plants do. They commonly form low carpets or cushions on soil, rocks, bark, and other surfaces.

Habitat and distribution

Mosses grow in a wide range of habitats, but they are most often associated with moist, shady places. They occur worldwide, though not in salt water. In Canada, mosses are common across forests, wetlands, and other moist habitats, where they contribute to ground cover and ecosystem moisture retention.

Reproduction and life cycle

Mosses reproduce by spores rather than seeds. Spores are produced in capsules, and the plants often spread in mats or clumps.

Classification

Mosses are part of the bryophytes, a broader group that also includes liverworts and hornworts. Sources commonly place mosses in the division Bryophyta. Some sources note taxonomic subdivision into groups such as true mosses, peat mosses, and granite mosses.

Key facts

  • Mosses are non-vascular plants that lack true roots, stems, and leaves.
  • They reproduce by spores released from capsules.
  • Mosses are found worldwide in moist or shady habitats.
  • There are at least 12,000 known species of moss.
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Canadian context

Mosses are common across Canada, especially in forests, wetlands, and other moist habitats, where they contribute to ground cover and ecosystem moisture retention.

Frequently asked questions

What is moss?
Moss is a small, non-vascular, flowerless land plant that reproduces by spores and is usually found in moist or shady places.
Do mosses have roots?
No. Mosses do not have true roots, stems, or leaves because they lack vascular tissue.
How do mosses reproduce?
Mosses reproduce by spores, which are produced in capsules rather than seeds or flowers.
Where do mosses grow?
They grow on soil, rocks, bark, and other surfaces, especially in damp or shaded habitats.
How many species of moss are there?
Common references give estimates of at least 12,000 species, with some sources listing higher totals.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/moss-plant
    Supports: Defines mosses as small nonvascular spore-bearing land plants and notes their broad global distribution and moist shady habitats.
  2. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/moss/275948
    Supports: States that mosses are nonvascular bryophytes, lack true roots, stems, and leaves, and occur worldwide in many habitats.
  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/moss
    Supports: Describes mosses as non-flowering plants that produce spores, lack true roots, and occur widely across habitats.
  4. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/moss
    Supports: Provides common descriptive characteristics, habitat notes, and a traditional subdivision into true mosses, peat mosses, and granite mosses.