This type of forest is floristically rich. It is inferior to wet evergreen forests of lower elevations. Although species like Calophyllum are found here, they are manic and crooked with a spreading crown. The heights of the trees seldom exceed 20 m and are heavily festooned with mosses, lichens, aroids and ferns. At an elevation of 1200 to 2000 m, a transition may be found between this type of forest and the wet evergreen.

The principal species are Calophyllum polyanthum, Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Hydnocarpus alpine, Casearea macrocarpa, Elaeocarpus munronii, Garcinia cowa., Memeceylon sp., Syzygium sp., Litsea insegnis, L. oleoides, L. wightiana, L. coriacea, Actinodaphne malabarica, Neolitsea scrobiculata, etc, A good number of them show affinity towards temperate flora.