List of Canadian plants by family T facts for kids

Welcome to the amazing world of Canadian plants! Canada is a huge country with many different types of plants, from tiny mosses to tall trees. This article explores some of the plant families found in Canada whose names start with the letter 'T'. Learning about plant families helps us understand how different plants are related and what makes them special.

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

Takakiaceae: Tiny Mosses

The Takakiaceae family is a small group of very unusual mosses. They are often found in cold, wet places like the mountains of British Columbia. These mosses are so unique that scientists sometimes call them "living fossils" because they have features from very ancient plants.

• Takakia lepidozioides

Taxaceae: Yew Trees

The Taxaceae family includes evergreen trees and shrubs, commonly known as yews. These plants are famous for their dark green needles and bright red, berry-like fruits. While the fruits look appealing, most parts of yew plants are poisonous to humans and many animals.

• Taxus brevifolia — Pacific yew
• Taxus canadensis — Canadian yew

Tetraphidaceae: Four-Toothed Mosses

The Tetraphidaceae family is a group of mosses known for their unique spore capsules. These capsules have four distinct "teeth" that help release the tiny spores, allowing the moss to spread. They often grow on decaying wood or rocks in shady, damp forests.

• Tetraphis geniculata
• Tetraphis pellucida
• Tetrodontium brownianum — little Georgia
• Tetrodontium repandum

Thamnobryaceae: Branching Mosses

Mosses in the Thamnobryaceae family often have a tree-like appearance, with a main stem and many branches. They typically grow in moist, shady spots, sometimes near waterfalls or streams. Their branching pattern helps them capture more light in dense forest environments.

• Porotrichum bigelovii
• Porotrichum vancouveriense
• Thamnobryum alleghaniense — Alleghany thamnobryum moss
• Thamnobryum neckeroides

Theliaceae: Cushion Mosses

The Theliaceae family includes mosses that often grow in dense, flat cushions or mats. They are usually found on rocks or tree bark. These mosses help to hold moisture and prevent soil erosion in their habitats.

• Thelia asprella
• Thelia hirtella

Thelypteridaceae: Marsh and Beech Ferns

The Thelypteridaceae family is a large group of ferns that are common in many parts of the world, including Canada. Many of these ferns prefer wet or marshy areas, while others, like the beech ferns, grow in woodlands. Ferns reproduce using spores, not seeds.

• Coryphopteris simulata — bog fern
• Oreopteris quelpartensis — queen's-veil maidenfern
• Parathelypteris nevadensis — Sierra Nevada marsh fern
• Parathelypteris noveboracensis — New York fern
• Phegopteris connectilis — northern beech fern
• Phegopteris hexagonoptera — broad beech fern
• Thelypteris palustris — eastern marsh fern

Thuidiaceae: Fern Mosses

The Thuidiaceae family contains mosses that often look like tiny ferns because of their finely branched stems and leaves. They create beautiful, feathery mats on the forest floor, especially in damp, shady areas. These mosses are important for the ecosystem.

• Abietinella abietina — abietinella moss
• Cyrto-hypnum minutulum
• Cyrto-hypnum pygmaeum
• Rauiella scita
• Thuidium delicatulum — delicate fern moss
• Thuidium philibertii
• Thuidium recognitum
• Thuidium tamariscinum

Thymelaeaceae: Leatherwood Shrubs

The Thymelaeaceae family includes shrubs and trees known for their tough, flexible bark. The name "leatherwood" comes from this strong bark. These plants often have simple leaves and small, sometimes fragrant, flowers.

• Dirca palustris — eastern leatherwood

Tiliaceae: Basswood Trees

The Tiliaceae family, now often part of the Malvaceae family, includes the basswood trees. These trees are known for their large, heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers that attract bees. Their wood is soft and light, often used for carving.

• Tilia americana — American basswood

Timmiaceae: Warrior Mosses

The Timmiaceae family consists of mosses that are often found in colder climates. They are known for their distinctive, upright growth and often form dense patches. Some species are called "warrior moss" due to their sturdy appearance.

• Timmia austriaca
• Timmia megapolitana — warrior moss
• Timmia norvegica
• Timmia sibirica

Treubiaceae: Liverworts

The Treubiaceae family belongs to the group of plants called liverworts. Liverworts are small, simple plants that are related to mosses. They usually grow in damp, shady places and have a flattened, leaf-like body rather than distinct stems and leaves.

• Apotreubia nana

Trichocoleaceae: Hairy Liverworts

The Trichocoleaceae family is another group of liverworts. These liverworts are often very branched and have a fuzzy or hairy appearance due to many tiny projections on their leaves. They thrive in very moist, humid environments, often forming mats on rocks or logs.

• Trichocolea tomentella

Typhaceae: Cattails

The Typhaceae family is famous for the cattail plants. These tall, wetland plants are easily recognized by their long, flat leaves and distinctive brown, sausage-shaped flower spikes. Cattails are important for wildlife, providing food and shelter, and they help filter water in marshy areas.

• Typha angustifolia — narrowleaf cattail
• Typha latifolia — broadleaf cattail
• Typha x glauca — blue cattail