This poorly defined area includes large parts of the upland zones of the Shillong Plateau including the Jaintia Hills, Khasi Hills, Manipur Mountains, Naga Hills, Patkai Hills and possibly the Mikir Hills.

Some of the best-preserved examples of these seasonal, humid, subtropical forests can be found in the so-called sacred groves of the Jaintia Hills in the state of Meghalaya. Here the forest canopy is composed of both evergreen and deciduous species and can reach heights of 30 m. The main species include Castanopsis tribuloides, Cinnamonmum glandulifera, Neolitsea cassia, Persea odoratissima, Quercus kamroopii, Syzygium tetragonum and the endemic or near endemic Acer laevigatum (Aceraceae), Drimycarpus racemosus (Anacardiaceae), Litsea laeta (Lauraceae) and Schima khasiana (Theaceae). A subcanopy can also be distinguised with species such as Ficus lamponga, Helicia nilagirica, Pithecellobium monadelphum, Rhododendron arboreum, Vaccinium sprengilii, Hantolis assamica and the endemic or near endemic Cinnamomum pauciflorum (Lauraceae). Below the sub canopy is a layer of small trees and shrubs mainly composed of shade tolerant species. Some of the more typical include Boehmeria platyphylla, Camellia caudata, Girardinia palmata, Microtropis discolor, Nicrandra physaloides and the endemic or near endemic Coffea khasiana (Rubiaceae) and Turpinia nepalensis (Staphylaceae). The herbaceous field layer tends to be sporadically distributed being often confined to disturbed areas. Nevertheless, it includes many interesting species such as Anoectochilus roxburghii, Begonia palmata, Ophiorrhiza fasciculata, Sonerila maculata, Viola palmaris and the endemic or near endemic Impatiens juripa (Balsaminaceae). Also on the forest floor are various parasitic and saprophytic species like Aeginetia indica and Balanophora dioica.  In addition to a profusion of bryophytes the trees are usually festooned with epiphytic angiosperms and pteridophytes. Orchids, as usual, are the most prolific of the epiphytic angiosperms while other species include Hoya fusca, Lysionothus serratus, Pleione maculata, Pothos scandens and the endemic or near endemic Aeschynanthes sikkimensis (Gesneraceae) and Raphidophora calophyllum (Araceae). Woody climbers and twiners are also common and many of the older trees are entangled with lianas. Some of the more common of these are Cissampelos pariera, Cayratia japonica, Entada scandens, Melodinus monogynus and the endemic or near endemic Fissistigma verrucosum (Annonaceae). Another interesting feature of these forests is the presence of many ancient angiosperms such as Betula alnoides and Myrica esculenta and include primitive plant families like Annonaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Lauraceae, Menispermaceae, Myricaceae, Piperaceae and Ranunculaceae.

References

Champion, H. G. & Seth, S. K. 1968. A revised survey of the forest types of India. The Manager of Publication, Government of India, Nasik.

Deb, D. B. 1958. Endemism and outside influence on the flora of Manipur. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 55: 313-317.

Jamir, S. A. & Pandey, H. N. 2003. Vascular plant diversity in the sacred groves of Jaintia Hills in northeast India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 12: 1497-1510.

Khan, M. L., Menon, S. & Bawa, K. S. 1997. Effectiveness of the protected area network in biodiversity conservation: a case study of Meghalaya state. Biodiversity and Conservation, 6: 853-868.

Nayar, M. P. 1996. “Hot Spots” of endemic plants of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute. Palode, Thiruvananthapuram.

Puri, G. S., Gupta, R. K., Meher-Homji, V. M. & Puri, S. 1989. Forest Ecology. Plant form, diversity, communities and succession. 2nd Edition. Volume 2. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. PVT. Ltd.

Singh, N. P., Chauban, A. S. & Mondal, M. S. 2000. Flora of Manipur. Volume 1. Ranunculaceae – Asteraceae. Botanical Survey of India.