AbstractShoots ofBrachythecium rutabulum, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiomnium undulatum, Pseudoscleropodium purumandThuidium tamariscinumwere allowed to grow in contact with litter ofUrtica dioica, Succisa pratensis, Holcus lanatus, A venula pratensis, Pseudoscleropodium purumand soils of contrastee,-fertility. All the species were positively growth-stimulated when grown in contact with the stem litter ofUrtica dioicaand the fertile soil. The other treatments included did not enhance significantly the growth of the five bryophyte species. An attempt is made to relate these responses to the ecology of the species and the possible role that plant litter might exert upon bryophyte distribution in herbaceous vegetation.