Wild herbs
There are a lot of wild herbs in South Greenland that are used for cooking and medicine. Thyme is very popular in salmon and lamb dishes. In the old days, and even today, Qajaasat leaves (Ledum groenlandicum) were used to treat all kinds of ailments and diseases.
Berries
One of the most common plants in South Greenland is the crowberry. For centuries these tasty black berries served as an important vitamin supplement and today they are mainly eaten with ice cream and other desserts. Crowberries are also a common ingredient in jams and jellies. Whenever a fire in the open is made, crowberry twigs are used as firewood to produce a thick and aromatic smoke, which is perfect for smoking salmon or meat. Arctic Bilberries (locally known as blueberries) are smaller than their store-bought cousins, but a lot tastier.
Mushrooms
There are a wide variety of edible mushrooms in Greenland. Although they are not a traditional part of the Greenlandic diet, mushroom picking is a popular activity in late summer. There are no deadly poisonous species in Greenland, but it's recommended that you consult a guide book before you pick and eat odd-looking fungi.
Trees
South Greenland is the only place in Greenland where you can find anything resembling a real forest. Since the early 1900s, botanists have been experimenting with many tree varieties, and today there is an arboretum near Narsarsuaq with hundreds of evergreens from arctic and alpine climate zones around the world. A native tree that can be found in West Greenland is the Arctic Birch. In some places, it can grow as high as 3 to 4 metres.
The national flower
The national flower of Greenland is "Niviarsiaq" which means "little girl" in Greenlandic. It is a willow herb (Chamaenerion latifolium). You will find it all over Greenland with its characteristic red petals and green leaves, which can be eaten either raw or boiled.
Seals
There are five seal species in Greenland, although only three are common: the Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida), the Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica), and the Hooded Seal (Cystophora cristata).
Reindeer and muskox
There have been reindeer and muskox in Greenland for thousands of years. Hunters followed these animals across the ice when the Inuit migrated from Canada to Greenland.
Whales
Another important Greenlandic mammal is the whale. Whales and whaling have had a big impact on Greenlandic culture and traditions. Whalers from the Netherlands, Spain and Norway first came to Greenland more than 300 years ago, hunting some species to the brink of extinction. As an indigenous people, the Greenlanders are allowed to catch a certain number of whales each year. These quotas have been established in close co-operation with the Greenlandic government and the IWC (International Whaling Commission).
Eagles
With its majestic wingspan, the White-tailed Eagle glides effortlessly on thermal currents above the fjords. Only 20-30 years ago hunters and especially sheep farmers shot the White-tailed Eagle because they thought the birds took their lambs. Now we know more about their diet. Today, the eagles are protected and have once again become a very common sight in South Greenland.
Sheep
In many ways, South Greenland has been altered and deeply influenced by an "imported" animal: sheep. It began with the Norse and their livestock, and hundred years of grazing have changed the landscape. There are many places where sheep farmers have plowed fields to grow winter fodder for their flocks - an example of man-made changes to the Greenlandic landscape.