See text Plagiochila is a large, common, and widespread genus of liverworts in the order Jungermanniales.

The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica.

[2] There are 9 species of Plagiochila in Britain and Ireland, the majority of which have a hyper-oceanic biogeography, demanding high humidity afforded by proximity to the Atlantic.

There is a disjunct population of Plagiochila spinulosa in New Zealand.

Certain phylogenetic studies have shown that genetic distinctions between observed species are weak, suggesting recent diversification events.