A reconnaissance survey of aboveground biomass of the understory was made in stands of five forest types in southwestern Nova Scotia. In most types, seedlings of arboreal species, mostly conifers, constituted about half the biomass. Mosses contributed the greatest share of the biomass of non-woody plants. Ferns were the most important herbaceous group. Total understory biomass was above the average of other reported studies, possibly as a result of less overstory biomass.