The mosses of Labrador, Canada

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Botany
• Main Authors: Brassard, Guy R., Weber, David P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
• Subjects: Plant Science; Arctic; Canada
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b78-056; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b78-056

A comprehensive review of the mosses of Labrador is presented, incorporating all previously published reports and much new data accumulated during field and herbarium studies since 1970. A total of 348 species of mosses are documented for Labrador, of which 40 are new to that region. Grimmia atrata is new to North America, and a major southern range extension is reported for Oligotrichum falcatum. Four species of 'copper mosses' occur together at Nachvak, northern Labrador. Illustrations of Mielichhoferia elongata and a large falcate form of M. mielichhoferi are presented, with comments on differentiating the two species. A preliminary bryogeographical analysis indicates that at least 75 moss species of southern affinity have their northern limit for eastern North America in Labrador, and a smaller number of predominantly arctic moss species have southern limits in Labrador.