This forest type is confined to places above 1,500m elevation. There is no stratification of tree canopy into different tiers. The trees are not very large and often highly branched. Epiphytes are common on branches of trees.

The frequently seen trees are Actinodaphne bourdillonii, Actinodaphne campanulata, Aglaia bourdillonii, Ardisia rhomboidea, Bhesa indica, Elaeocarpus venustus, Eugenia discifera, Garcinia imberti, Garcinia rubro-echinata, Garcinia travancorica, Gordonia obtusa, Isonandra candolleana, Mastixia arborea, Meliosma pinnata ssp. barbulata, Neolitsea fischeri, Neolitsea scrobiculata, Poeciloneuron indicum, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium densiflorum, Syzygium rubicundum, Turpinia nepalensis, Vernonia travancorica, etc.

The lower shrubby layer is composed of Ardisia blatteri, Euonymus paniculatus, Goniothalamus wightii, Octotropis travancorica, Polyscias acumi-nata, Strobilanthes luridus, Strobilanthes asper, Strobilanthes tristis, Symplocos wynadense, etc.