Vegetation around Etna is distributed over three different altitudes in strips or belts of vegetation based on the climatic and soil conditions that limit the presence of individual vegetation types only when slight changes in some environmental factors (temperature, humidity, light, wind) occur. Etna presents rich, various flora which is distributed in relation to altitude and slope exposure. The area is a unique spectacle of nature where vegetation is characterised by rocky coastline with garigue and brushwood, by caducous evergreen forests and the extreme habitats that characterise upper Etna. By analysing the environmental factors around Etna it is possible to distinguish certain naturalistic-vegetation types present in the area.

This vegetation plain contains plenty of species influenced by man: the landscape is mainly dominated by citrus groves, vineyards, olive groves, almond groves, pistachio groves and fruit trees. This area also hosts numerous, important natural species, based on their distance from the sea, substrate layers, altitude and slope orientation. Euphorbia Dendrides (which represents a vegetation association characterised by colours which are typical of the Mediterranean marquis), Evergreen Holm Oak (Quercus Ilex), the only species of evergreen oak on Etna. Etna Broom (Genista Aetnensis), Black hornbeam (Ostria Carpinifolia), Laurel (Laurus Nobilis), Southern Nettle Tree (Celtis Australis), Oriental Hackberry (Celtis Tournefortii), Terebinth (Pistacia Terebinthus), a tall bushy species with tangled reddish foliage, Spurge (Euphorbia Carcarias), Turkey Oak (Quercus Virgiliana, Quercus Congesta and Quercus Cerris) form part of the deciduous oaks distributed around Mount Etna.

At a height of 1,000 to 1,500 metres, vegetation is characterised by groves of Corsican Pine (Pinus Laricio), Silver Birch (Betula Aetnensis), Beech (Fagus Selvatica) and Poplar (Populus Tremula). The same climatic zone of oak trees includes widespread Chestnut groves (Castanea Sativa). The underground commonly hosts: Bracken Fern (Pteridium Acquilinum), Leopard’s Bame (Doronicum Orientale), Wild Basil (Clinopodium Vulgare), Daphne (Daphne Laureola), Germander (Theucrium Camedris), etc.

This plain, located on the edge of the tree vegetation and circa 2,400 metres high, forms the most significant and expressive landscape on the high mountainous area of Etna. Etna Milk Vetch (Astragulus Siculus) particularly dominates this environment, which changes appearance according to height, exposure, nature and substrate. The Etna Milk Vetch grove is represented with various shapes and in association with other typical species of this plain: Barberry (Berberis Aetnensis), Common Juniper (Junipherus Hemisfaerica) and Etna Broom (Genista Aetnensis). Other endemic species live in association with Milk Vetch Root, including Etna Violet, Chickweed (Viola Aetnensis, Cerastium Minus). Found among the sand and gravel, Soapwort (Saponaria Sicula) with elegant roses or Alpine Dock rose bushes (Rumex Aetnensis). Over the 2,400 metres, only sparse amounts of Alpine Dock and Alpine Ragwort manage to survive, resisting the cold winters and extreme summer droughts.