List of Canadian plants by family B facts for kids

This article is about some of the amazing plants found in Canada! Plants are grouped into "families" based on how they are related, kind of like how your family has a last name. This helps scientists organize and understand the huge variety of plants all around us.

Canada is a vast country with many different environments, from cold Arctic regions to warm coastal areas. This means it's home to a wide range of plant families, each with unique features. Let's explore a few of them!

Main page: List of Canadian plants by family

Families: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I J K | L | M | N | O | P Q | R | S | T | U V W | X Y Z

Plant Families in Canada

Canada's diverse landscapes support many different plant families. Each family has special characteristics that help its members survive. From tiny mosses to tall trees, Canadian plants are truly fascinating.

Balsaminaceae (Touch-Me-Not Family)

This family is known for its interesting seed pods. When ripe, these pods can burst open with a touch, scattering seeds! That's why they are often called "touch-me-nots."

• Impatiens capensis — This is the spotted jewelweed. It has bright orange flowers with red spots. You can often find it in wet, shady areas.
• Impatiens pallida — The pale jewelweed is similar but has lighter, pale yellow flowers. Both types of jewelweed are common in Canadian forests.

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

The Berberidaceae family includes shrubs and herbs. Many of them have spiny leaves or interesting berries.

• Mahonia aquifolium — Known as Piper's Oregon-grape, this plant has shiny, spiny leaves. It produces dark blue berries that look like tiny grapes.
• Podophyllum peltatum — This plant is called mayapple. It has large, umbrella-like leaves and produces a single white flower. The fruit ripens into a yellowish "apple" in May.

Betulaceae (Birch Family)

The birch family includes many well-known trees and shrubs. They are famous for their distinctive bark and catkin flowers.

• Betula papyrifera — This is the paper birch, easily recognized by its peeling white bark. Indigenous peoples traditionally used its bark for canoes and shelters.
• Alnus rubra — The red alder is a common tree, especially in western Canada. It helps improve soil quality by adding nitrogen.
• Corylus cornuta — This is the beaked hazelnut. It's a shrub that produces tasty nuts inside a "beaked" husk.

Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

Plants in the borage family often have hairy leaves and stems. Many produce beautiful blue or purple flowers.

• Mertensia maritima — This plant is called sea bluebells. It grows near the coast and has pretty blue flowers. Its leaves sometimes taste a bit like oysters!
• Myosotis laxa — This is the small forget-me-not. It has tiny, delicate blue flowers. These flowers are a symbol of remembrance.

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

The mustard family is very large and includes many common vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. Many wild members have four-petaled flowers.

• Cakile edentula — Known as American sea-rocket, this plant grows on sandy beaches. It's adapted to salty environments.
• Cardamine pratensis — This is the cuckoo-flower, which has lovely pale purple or white flowers. It often blooms around the time the cuckoo bird returns in spring.
• Draba alpina — The alpine whitlow-grass is a small plant that thrives in cold, rocky mountain areas. It's tough and can survive harsh conditions.

Bryaceae (Bryum Moss Family)

This family includes many types of mosses. Mosses are small, non-flowering plants that often grow in damp, shady places.

• Bryum argenteum — This is the silvery bryum moss. It often looks silvery-green, especially when dry. You can find it growing on rocks, walls, and sidewalks.
• Rhodobryum roseum — Known as rose moss, this moss forms beautiful rosettes that look like tiny green roses. It's a very pretty moss to spot in the forest.

Buxbaumiaceae (Bug-on-a-Stick Moss Family)

This is a small and unique family of mosses. They are known for their unusual appearance.

• Buxbaumia aphylla — This moss is famously called "bug-on-a-stick." It has a tiny, brownish capsule that looks like an insect on a stalk. It's very hard to spot because it's so small!