PlantsMap

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8 plants worth knowing

Latvia

Latvia is a lowland country on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, where forests – of pine, spruce and birch – cover more than half its area, making it one of the most forested countries in the European Union. The landscape is varied by the many lakes of Latgale, extensive peat bogs, floodplain meadows and several hundred kilometres of sandy coast with dunes and pinewoods. Plants hold an important place in Latvian folklore, especially in the midsummer celebrations of Jāņi.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Oxeye daisy 1

    flower · National flower of Latvia

    Oxeye daisy

    Leucanthemum vulgare

    White-and-yellow oxeye daisies bloom in June in every Latvian meadow and are an essential part of the wreaths worn for Jāņi.
  2. Pedunculate oak 2

    tree · One of Latvia’s two national trees (with the lime)

    Pedunculate oak

    Quercus robur

    The male symbol of strength in Latvian folklore – on midsummer night men wear wreaths of oak leaves.
  3. Small-leaved lime 3

    tree · One of Latvia’s two national trees (with the oak)

    Small-leaved lime

    Tilia cordata

    The female symbol of Latvian folklore, linked to Laima, the goddess of fate – limes grow beside every old farmstead.
  4. Silver birch 4

    tree

    Silver birch

    Betula pendula

    In early spring Latvians tap birches for their sweetish sap – bērzu sula is a drink people wait for all winter.
  5. Caraway 5

    herbaceous plant

    Caraway

    Carum carvi

    There is no Latvian midsummer cheese without caraway – jāņu siers is the essential treat of the shortest night of the year.
  6. Scots pine 6

    tree

    Scots pine

    Pinus sylvestris

    The pine is Latvia’s commonest tree – coastal pinewoods on the dunes, from Jūrmala to Courland, are among the country’s most typical landscapes.
  7. Norway spruce 7

    tree

    Norway spruce

    Picea abies

    Riga prides itself on having put up the first decorated Christmas tree in history in 1510 – and spruce is one of the main trees of Latvian forests.
  8. Rye 8

    crop

    Rye

    Secale cereale

    Dark rupjmaize rye bread is the foundation of the Latvian table – and even of dessert, layered with whipped cream and cranberry jam.