Characteristic features, ecology and natural history:
4) Regional characteristic elements
Introduction -- Eastern Iceland -- Northern Iceland -- Southern Iceland -- South-western Iceland top
Introduction
Theoretically, one could describe Iceland in a very simplistic way as a circle with lowlands on the fringe of the circle and highlands in the central part. Of course, reality is very different, with fjords in the north-west, peninsulas in the west, and relatively high mountains near the north coast. Nevertheless, there is some truth in this description of coastal lowlands and interior highlands. It is therefore striking that many plants occur mostly in some regions and are rare or absent in others. One has to be aware, though, that the climate in the south and the north is different: the south is strongly influenced by the (warm) Atlantic ocean current, leading to very mild summers and winters. In the north, winters are generally colder (with more snow) and summers warmer (and drier). But the main differences concerning natural plant species are between eastern and western Iceland. Eastern Iceland has many species typical for the region. Other regions also have characteristic species, but less so than Eastern Iceland.
Introduction -- Eastern Iceland -- Northern Iceland -- Southern Iceland -- South-western Iceland top
Characteristic species of Eastern Iceland
One of the most common and conspicuous Eastern-Icelandic species is the Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia - Bláklukka) . Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia - Bláklukka) . It does grow elsewhere in Iceland too, but it is rare. In the east it is very common. Three species with attractive flowers that can only be found in the east are the Arctic wintergreen (Pyrola grandiflora - Bjöllulilja) Arctic wintergreen (Pyrola grandiflora - Bjöllulilja) , the Chickweed wintergreen (Trientalis europaea - Sjöstjarna) Chickweed wintergreen (Trientalis europaea - Sjöstjarna) and the Yellow saxifrage (Saxifraga aizoides - Gullsteinbrjótur) . Yellow saxifrage (Saxifraga aizoides - Gullsteinbrjótur) . Also one can find the Faroer Lady's-mantle (Alchemilla faroerensis - Maríuvöttur) Faroer Lady's-mantle (Alchemilla faroerensis - Maríuvöttur) only in the east.
Introduction -- Eastern Iceland -- Northern Iceland -- Southern Iceland -- South-western Iceland top
Characteristic species of Northern Iceland
A beautifull heather species growing in the north is the Blue heath (Phyllodoce coerulea - Bláklukkulyng) . Blue heath (Phyllodoce coerulea - Bláklukkulyng) . It is only found in the central northern part of Iceland (the Akureyri region) and, surprisingly, also in one fjord valley in the far east (Loðmundarfjörður). An early flowering species restricted to the north is the Common Whitlowgrass (Erophila verna - Vorperla) . Common Whitlowgrass (Erophila verna - Vorperla) . This species - a common European early spring flower - probably owes its northern distribution to the reliable snow cover in winter. A very characteristic species of the Mývatn region is the Hawkweed-leaved Treaclemustard (Erysimum hieracifolium - Aronsvöndur) . Hawkweed-leaved Treaclemustard (Erysimum hieracifolium - Aronsvöndur) . .
Introduction -- Eastern Iceland -- Northern Iceland -- Southern Iceland -- South-western Iceland top
Characteristic species of Southern Iceland
There are not many species that mainly grow in the southern part of Iceland. Two species should be mentioned though. This is foremost the Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis - Stúfa) . Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis - Stúfa) . Another species more or less restricted to the south is the Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata - Selgresi) . Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata - Selgresi) . The latter is (very rarely) also found on some thermal soils in the north. Two other species that are found mainly in the south of Iceland are the Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi - Munkahetta) Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi - Munkahetta) and the Hill Valerian (Valeriana sambucifolia - Hagabrúða) . Hill Valerian (Valeriana sambucifolia - Hagabrúða) .
Introduction -- Eastern Iceland -- Northern Iceland -- Southern Iceland -- South-western Iceland top
Characteristic species of South-western Iceland
Reykjavik and other towns near Reykjavik make up (relatively speaking) the most densely populated region of Iceland. There are harbours serving imports, and there is the international airport. Thus, it is no surprise that in this region most unintentional introductions of species from outside Iceland enter the country here. One of those species is the American Willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum - Vætudúnurt) . American Willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum - Vætudúnurt) . . However, it is beyond the scope of these pages to discuss introduced species around settlements. There are a few more or less native species that are characteristic of the south-west. One of them is quite striking, namely the Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria - Gullkollur) . Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria - Gullkollur) .
Continue with:
1) introduction
2) Is the flora North American or European?
3) The main vegetation types
4) Regional differences in the flora (this page)
5) The influence of the glacial periods and the revegetation following the last glacial period