List of Canadian plants by family R facts for kids
Canada is a huge country with many different types of land, from cold Arctic areas to warm, wet forests. Because of this, Canada is home to an amazing variety of plants! Scientists group plants into families based on how they are related. This helps us understand them better. Let's explore some of the cool plant families found across Canada, from tiny mosses to big, beautiful flowering plants.
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
Contents
The Radula Family (Radulaceae)
The Radula family is a group of small, flat plants called liverworts. They are like tiny, leafy mats that grow in damp places. You often find them on rocks, tree bark, or wet soil.
What are they like?
These liverworts have tiny, overlapping leaves. They often look like little green scales. They love moisture and can dry out easily. They are non-vascular plants, meaning they do not have true roots, stems, or leaves like bigger plants.
Where do they grow?
In Canada, Radula liverworts are found in humid environments. They thrive in forests where there is lots of shade and dampness. You might spot them in coastal areas or near waterfalls.
Cool Facts!
- Some Radula species can grow on other plants, like mosses.
- They help keep moisture in the environment.
- They are very old types of plants, showing us what early plant life might have looked like.
- Examples include Radula complanata and Radula tenax.
The Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)
The Ranunculaceae family is also known as the buttercup family. It includes many beautiful flowering plants. These plants are often found in meadows, forests, and wet areas. Many have bright, cheerful flowers.
What are they like?
Plants in this family usually have five petals, but some have more. Their flowers can be yellow, white, blue, or purple. Many have leaves that are deeply cut or divided. Some are known for being poisonous if eaten.
Where do they grow?
You can find buttercups all across Canada. They grow in many different habitats. Some prefer sunny fields, while others like shady woodlands. Marsh-marigolds, for example, love wet, boggy places.
Cool Facts!
- The Ranunculus acris, or tall buttercup, is a common sight in fields.
- Aquilegia canadensis, the wild columbine, has unique bell-shaped flowers.
- Pulsatilla nuttalliana, the American pasqueflower, is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.
- Anemone canadensis, the Canada anemone, forms large patches with white flowers.
- Caltha palustris, the marsh-marigold, has bright yellow flowers that look like giant buttercups.
The Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae)
The Rhamnaceae family includes shrubs and small trees. Many of these plants have thorns. They are known for their small flowers and berry-like fruits.
What are they like?
These plants often have simple, oval leaves. Their flowers are usually small and greenish. The fruits are often dark berries. These berries are important food for birds and other wildlife.
Where do they grow?
In Canada, you can find buckthorn plants in various habitats. They grow in forests, open woodlands, and along the edges of fields. Some species are quite common.
Cool Facts!
- Ceanothus americanus, or New Jersey tea, was used as a tea substitute during the American Revolution.
- Frangula purshiana, known as Cascara, has bark that was traditionally used for medicine.
- Rhamnus alnifolia, the alderleaf buckthorn, is a native Canadian species.
- Some buckthorn species are considered invasive in certain areas.
The Golden Glade-Moss Family (Rhytidiaceae)
The Rhytidiaceae family is a small group of mosses. Mosses are tiny, non-flowering plants. They often form dense, green carpets on the ground or on rocks.
What are they like?
The most well-known species in this family is Rhytidium rugosum, or golden glade-moss. It has a distinctive wrinkled appearance. It forms thick mats and can look quite shaggy.
Where do they grow?
Golden glade-moss prefers dry, open habitats. You might find it in rocky areas, on dry slopes, or in open woodlands. It can tolerate drier conditions than many other mosses.
Cool Facts!
- Mosses like Rhytidium rugosum help prevent soil erosion.
- They absorb water like a sponge, which helps keep the environment moist.
- Mosses are very important for the ecosystem, providing shelter for small insects.
The Riccia Family (Ricciaceae)
The Ricciaceae family is another group of liverworts. These are often called thalloid liverworts because they have a flat, ribbon-like body instead of distinct leaves. They usually grow in very wet places.
What are they like?
Riccia plants look like small, green rosettes or branching ribbons. They float on water or grow on damp soil. They are very simple plants, often just a few cells thick.
Where do they grow?
You can find Riccia liverworts in ponds, ditches, and other slow-moving water bodies. They also grow on muddy banks or in very wet fields. They need constant moisture to survive.
Cool Facts!
- Riccia fluitans is a common floating liverwort. It can form dense mats on the surface of water.
- Ricciocarpos natans is another floating species, sometimes called "fringed heartwort."
- These tiny plants are important for aquatic ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for small water creatures.
The Rose Family (Rosaceae)
The Rosaceae family is one of the largest and most important plant families. It includes many plants we eat, like apples, strawberries, and raspberries. It also includes beautiful flowers like roses!
What are they like?
Plants in the rose family are very diverse. They can be trees, shrubs, or herbs. Their flowers usually have five petals and many stamens (the parts that make pollen). Their fruits vary greatly, from juicy berries to hard nuts.
Where do they grow?
You can find members of the rose family almost everywhere in Canada. They grow in forests, fields, mountains, and even along coastlines. They are very adaptable.
Cool Facts!
- Fragaria virginiana is the wild strawberry, a delicious native plant.
- Rubus idaeus is the American red raspberry, a popular berry.
- Amelanchier alnifolia, or saskatoonberry, is a favorite for jams and pies.
- Rosa acicularis, the prickly rose, is the provincial flower of Alberta.
- Geum triflorum, known as prairie-smoke, has unique feathery seed heads that look like smoke.
- Crataegus douglasii, Douglas' hawthorn, produces small, edible berries.
The Madder Family (Rubiaceae)
The Rubiaceae family is known for its opposite leaves and often small, four-petaled flowers. It includes some important plants, like coffee, though coffee doesn't grow wild in Canada.
What are they like?
Many plants in this family have square stems. Their leaves grow in pairs directly across from each other. The flowers are often tiny and grow in clusters. Some species have sticky stems or leaves.
Where do they grow?
In Canada, you'll find members of the madder family in various habitats. They grow in woodlands, wet areas, and open fields. Some are common weeds, while others are delicate wildflowers.
Cool Facts!
- Galium aparine, or catchweed bedstraw, is famous for its sticky stems that cling to clothes.
- Mitchella repens, the partridge-berry, is a low-growing plant with bright red berries. These berries stay on the plant all winter.
- Houstonia caerulea, known as Quaker-ladies or bluets, has pretty pale blue flowers.
- Cephalanthus occidentalis, the common buttonbush, has unique spherical flower clusters.
The Ditch-Grass Family (Ruppiaceae)
The Ruppiaceae family is a small group of aquatic plants. They are often called ditch-grass or widgeon-grass. These plants live completely underwater in salty or brackish water.
What are they like?
These plants have very thin, grass-like leaves. They grow in submerged meadows on the bottom of shallow waters. Their flowers are tiny and grow on long stalks that reach the water surface for pollination.
Where do they grow?
You can find ditch-grass in coastal areas of Canada. They grow in estuaries, lagoons, and shallow bays where fresh and saltwater mix. They are an important part of coastal ecosystems.
Cool Facts!
- Ruppia maritima, or ditch-grass, is a common species found in brackish waters.
- These plants provide food and shelter for many aquatic animals, including ducks and fish.
- They help to stabilize the sediment on the seafloor.
The Rue Family (Rutaceae)
The Rutaceae family is known for its strong-smelling leaves. This family includes citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, but these don't grow wild in Canada. The Canadian members are shrubs or small trees.
What are they like?
Plants in this family often have leaves with tiny oil glands. If you crush the leaves, they release a strong, sometimes citrusy, scent. Their flowers are usually small and not very showy.
Where do they grow?
In Canada, you'll find these plants in woodlands and along forest edges. They prefer well-drained soils.
Cool Facts!
- Ptelea trifoliata, the common hoptree, has interesting wafer-like fruits. These fruits were once used as a substitute for hops in brewing.
- Zanthoxylum americanum, the northern prickly-ash, has thorny stems. Its bark and berries have a numbing, peppery taste. It's sometimes called "toothache tree" because of this.
