310 species of [[vascular plant]]s were said to be found in Greenland in 2019,{{cn|date=September 2022}} including 15 [[endemism|endemic]] species{{cn|date=June 2023}}. Although individual plants can be profuse in favourable situations, relatively few plant species tend to be represented in a given place.
In northern Greenland, the ground is covered with a carpet of mosses and low-lying shrubs such as [[Salix herbacea|dwarf willows]] and [[crowberry|crowberries]]. Flowering plants in the north include [[Stylophorum diphyllum|yellow poppy]], ''[[Pedicularis]]'', and ''[[Pyrola]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bay|first1=Christian|title=A phytogeographical study of the vascular plants of northern Greenland - north of 74°00 northern latitude|journal=Meddelelser om Grønland|date=1992|volume=36|pages=1–102}}</ref><ref name="brit1911"/> Plant life in southern Greenland is more abundant, and certain plants, such as the [[Betula nana|dwarf birch]] and willow, may grow several feet high.
The only natural forest in Greenland is found in the [[Qinngua Valley]]. The forest consists mainly of downy birch (''[[Betula pubescens]]'') and grey-leaf willow (''[[Salix glauca]]''), growing up to {{convert|7|–|8|m|ft}} tall,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/NA/Greenland/Kujalleq/Qinngua.htm|title=Qinngua Valley|publisher=Wondermondo|date=2013-06-23|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-date=2017-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007220312/http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/NA/Greenland/Kujalleq/Qinngua.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> although nine stands of conifers had been cultivated elsewhere by 2007.<ref name="times"/>
Horticulture shows a certain degree of success. Plants such as [[broccoli]], [[radish]]es, [[spinach]], [[leek]]s, [[lettuce]], [[turnip]]s, [[chervil]], [[potato]]es and [[parsley]] are grown up to considerable latitudes, while the [[Kujalleq|very south]] of the country also rears [[Astereae|asters]], ''[[Nemophila]]'', [[Reseda (plant)|mignonette]], [[rhubarb]], [[sorrel]] and [[carrot]]s.<ref name="brit1911"/> Over the decade to 2007, the growing season lengthened by as much as three weeks.<ref name="times"/>
In the 13th-century ''[[Konungs skuggsjá]] (King's mirror)'', it is stated that the old Norsemen tried in vain to raise barley.<ref name="brit1911"/> Recent research from archaeological digs on Greenland by the National Museum in Copenhagen discovered barley grains and concluded that the Vikings were able to grow barley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sciencenordic.com/agriculture-archaeology-denmark/vikings-grew-barley-in-greenland/1447746|title=Vikings grew barley in Greenland|last1=Hildebr|first1=Sybille|last2=t|date=2012-02-03|website=sciencenordic.com|language=no|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref>
Payalwa’s landscape supports a distinctive range of flora and fauna adapted to its temperate marshy lowland conditions. This page lists some of the more unique creatures and plants native to Payalwa.
Velharrama - A shrub that is known for it's bright red berries. The berries release a sweet smell and eating them is known to allow the eater to experience a vivid a story. Storytellers thus use the berries to generate new ideas or remember old tales.
Brumerva - A pale marsh fern whose leaves are often used in teas and poultices.
Velhudo - A mash fungus tied to folktales about silent monks wandering the swampy landscape.
Avoredo - The most common tree in the Western Lowlands in Payalwa.
Fauna
Etching of a Panten head
Pantens - Large mammals creates with wide hooves that can easily cross marshy peat.
