The ecoregion represents the subtropical forests of the Khasi and Garo hills of Meghalaya, one of the wettest and botanically richest regions in Asia. The hills rise to about 1800 m and receive most rain during the southwest monsoon, with clouds and mist. The characteristic forest tree genera are Bischofia, Mesua, Castonopsis, Pterospermum, and Acrocarpus in the wetter areas, transitioning into Elaeocarpus, Dillenia, Terminalia, Tetrameles, and Schima in drier areas. The hill tops have patches of grasslands and temperate forests with Lithocarpus, Castanopsis, and Quercus trees. Mature forests have a dense undergrowth of bamboos and canes, and the trees are draped with lianas and festooned with epiphytes. A centre of plant endemism with high animal diversity.
Meghalaya subtropical forests
Source: Modified from One Earth CC BY-NC