Vegetation and Flora of Iceland
Iceland's flora is relatively poor in species but hardy. About 490 species of vascular plants grow here, along with a large number of mosses, lichens and fungi. Vegetation has been heavily affected by human settlement, but in recent decades forestry and land reclamation have turned the tide.
Vegetation at the time of settlement and after
According to Ari the Learned's Book of Icelanders, the land was "covered with woods between mountain and shore" when the settlers arrived. Birch woodland and scrub are thought to have covered about a quarter of the country. With human settlement the woods were cut for firewood and charcoal, and sheep grazing kept new growth down. Soil erosion followed, especially in volcanic areas where the soil is loose. It is estimated that about half of the vegetation cover and soil has been lost since the settlement.
Main vegetation types
- Moss heaths – mainly on lava fields. Woolly fringe-moss covers large areas and is very sensitive to trampling.
- Heathland – crowberry, bilberry, heather and bearberry are common on dry ground.
- Wetlands – bogs and fens that store large amounts of carbon. Many were drained in the 20th century.
- Birch woodland and scrub – cover about 1.5% of the country. Hallormsstaðaskógur, Vaglaskógur and Þórsmörk are the best known.
- Gravel flats and deserts – much of the highlands is barren, but hardy plants such as moss campion and thrift grow there.
Icelandic flowers and useful plants
The mountain avens (holtasóley) was chosen as Iceland's national flower in 2004. Other characteristic plants include the dwarf fireweed, which turns river flats bright pink in summer, wild thyme, used in tea and as a spice, forget-me-nots and cotton grass. Iceland moss is a lichen that has been used for food and medicine since ancient times, and angelica was grown in special gardens in the Middle Ages. Dulse, a red seaweed, was gathered on the shore and eaten.
The lupin – a controversial newcomer
The Nootka lupin was introduced in 1945 for land reclamation. It fixes nitrogen, grows fast and has revegetated large areas of barren land. On the other hand, it has spread over heathland and other native vegetation. The lupin is therefore one of the most debated environmental issues in Iceland, with people firmly for or against it. The blue carpets of lupins in June are nevertheless undeniably beautiful.
Forestry and land reclamation
The Soil Conservation Service of Iceland was founded in 1907 and is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the world. The Icelandic Forest Service was founded the same year. In 2024 the two were merged into a single agency, Land og skógur. In recent decades forestry has expanded greatly, with new forests of birch, Sitka spruce, lodgepole pine, larch and black cottonwood. Forestry is also part of Iceland's climate action, together with wetland restoration.
| Plant | Type | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain avens | Flowering plant | Gravel flats and hills all over the country |
| Downy birch | Tree | Woodland and scrub |
| Dwarf fireweed | Flowering plant | River flats and sands |
| Woolly fringe-moss | Moss | Lava fields |
| Iceland moss | Lichen | Heaths and moorland |
| Nootka lupin | Introduced flowering plant | Widespread, especially on disturbed land |
Frequently asked questions
What is Iceland's national flower?
The mountain avens (holtasóley) was chosen as Iceland's national flower in 2004.
Why are there so few trees in Iceland?
At the time of settlement there was extensive birch woodland, but it was cut and grazed. The climate and soil erosion then prevented the woods from recovering.
Can you walk on moss in Iceland?
It is best to avoid it. The moss is very fragile and can take decades to recover from trampling.