The Bryophyta division include all mosses. Although they are often related to humid environments, some species of mosses are found on dry climate plateaus. A common moss genus in the Colorado plateau is Tortula. Common mosses found on Asian plateaus include Aptychella, Clastobryella, Struckia and Pylaisiopsis. Sphagnum is a widespread moss species, easily found in temperate and tropical climate plateaus.
Lycopodiophyta include clubmosses, which are among the most primitive types of living plants. Huperzia is a common genus in dry climates plateaus, while Ivesia species are more common in plateaus of high altitudes and cold climates. Pteridophyta include ferns, more common in tropical plateaus, although the genus Hymenophyllum is found on temperate plateaus. Argyrochosoma and Astrolepis are some of the rare species of ferns found on dry-climate plateaus, such as the Colorado Plateau.
Pinophyta plants include several conifers, both shrubs and trees. Cedars, firs, pines, redwoods and cypresses are some of these plants living on temperate plateaus with altitudes between 8,000 to 10,000 feet. The black juniper (Juniperus indica) and the Himalayan juniper (Juniperus squamata) are Pinophyta shrubs that live on the high altitudes of the Tibet Plateau.
Magnoliophyta is the largest group of plants found on plateaus around the world. It includes all plants that produce flowers, including grasses, water lilies, heathers and other perennials. The native Arizona fescue (Festuca arizonica) and the introduced heatgrass (Bromus tectorum) are both found on the Colorado Plateau. Magnoliophyta, commonly found in high altitude plateaus, include the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), butterfly bush (Asclepias tuberosa) and the Alpine aster (Aster alpinus).