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The Flora of Greenland

Greenland is much greener than most people think. Colourful flowers, lush meadows and hardy plants spring up when the summer's mild winds blow.

GREENER THAN YOU THINK

Colourful flowers, plants, bushes and heaths make beautiful contrasts to the icebergs and the white expanse of the ice sheet in Greenland.

Tourists visiting the country for the first time or airline passengers at an altitude of 10 km (33,000 feet) are rarely inclined to believe that Greenland can offer such green scenery and fertile landscapes – but do not let yourself be fooled by the Arctic nature.

If you arrive during the summer via the two international airports in Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq, you will meet a Greenland that lives up to its name.

Here, in the mild climate at the base of the extensive fjords, you will notice in particular the greyleaf willow that often grows to the height of a man.

Cruise guests who venture into the old quarters of the town cannot fail to see the idyllic houses with green gardens and flowerbeds resplendent in all the colours of the rainbow.

"Colourful flowers, plants, bushes and heaths make beautiful contrasts to the icebergs and the white expanse of the ice sheet in Greenland."

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: South Greenland Backpacking & hiking. 13 days

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland Backpacking & hiking. 13 days

A backpacking trip where you get off the beaten track! Experience life at sheep farms, settlements and the town Narsaq.

FROM €1,046
Greenland Tours: Hearts of the Inuit

Greenland Tours

Hearts of the Inuit

6 days during winter in Disko Bay with Inuit settlement visit

FROM €1,365
Greenland Tours: Disko Classics

Greenland Tours

Disko Classics

5 days in Ilulissat incl. city tour, Ilulissat Icefjord and boat tour to the icebergs

FROM €635
Bowhunting Greenland: Caribou Hunting

BowhuntingGreenland

Caribou Hunting

BowhuntingGreenland offers quality Caribou Hunting only

FROM €6,500
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INTENSE ARCTIC SUMMER

During the brief and intense Arctic summer the mountain landscapes are adorned with a wealth of colours from flowers, herbs, mosses and heather. Five types of orchid flower in Greenland.

There are even small trees that grow in the innermost fjords in Southern Greenland! Further north, Disko Island is a paradise for flora-lovers.

Half of Greenland’s more than 500 species of flowering plants, horsetails and ferns are found on this old volcanic island.

COMMON FLOWERS

Although Greenland geographically belongs to North America, the majority of plant species originate from Europe. Greenland’s national flower, Niviarsiaq, which means ‘young woman’, is, however, most common in
North America.

The flower is also known as broad-leaf fireweed, and is found all over the country. It is particularly common in stony soils and sandy riverbeds.

The Greenlandic bluebell can be seen as far north as Upernavik in North Greenland and on the east coast up to Daneborg.

The bog blueberry has sweet blueberries, whilst the more common mountain crowberry produces tasty blackberries that are popular ingredients in many Greenlandic desserts and as an accompaniment to boiled cod liver.

HANDBOOKS ABOUT GREENLANDIC FLORA

Multilingual handbooks about Greenlandic flora can be bought in bookshops in major towns.

Along with your photos from Greenland, such books might be able to convince your family and friends that there is a lot more to Greenland than just the ice sheet and icebergs! Multilingual handbooks about Greenlandic flora can be bought in bookshops in major towns.

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Editors' pick

Immersing overwelmed by the surroundings. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

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An occupational hazard as an editor is that I read about and collect the most beautiful bucket list destinations, and East Greenland has long been one of mine.

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Paninnguaq Pikilak. Inuit tattoos. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

A guide to Inuit Tattoos in Greenland

Inuit tattoos have had a revival in recent years, with many young people, among others, breathing life into the traditional lines. However, it has deep roots in Inuit communities, both spiritually and culturally.

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Ruined vehicle with the landscape of Ikkatteq in East Greenland, where the Americans once had a military base. Photo by Reinhard Pantke - Visit Greenland

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Camping under the sunset. Photo by Mark Hutchison

Camping and exploration logistics in Greenland

For packing a tent, booking a flight and heading into nature, the considerations for exploration logistics are where, when, how, and most importantly what are the risks and how to manage them?

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Dwellings of the Inuit culture House in Sisimiut. By Visit Greenland Shelf with Soapstone Art. By Mads Pihl Soapstone art in Greenland
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