A haplotype of a varied climate and the edaphone factors supported by fluctuating altitude results in a typical rich and luxirant tropical flora in the forests of Satpura. Endemic and rare plants are found inabundance in this part of the country.
At the higher altitudes, nearby Pachmarhi, moist deciduous forest are common and is characterized by Mangifera Indica, Syzgium Cuminii, Terminalia Chebula and Ficus species, to name a few.
The slanting slopes along the foothills host mixed forest like Terminalia Tomentosa and Annogeisss Latifolia. Certain parts of the low quality mixed forest where underlying rocks of sandstone is predominant host species like Chloroxylan Swietenia, Lagerstroemia Parviflora and Lannea Grandis.
Areas where the soil is derived from the trap has extremely high quality teak forest with dense understory of bamboo shrubs. Similar drier sites are characterized by low quality teak forest with an under growth of Lantana and Hystis species. Teak community with tall and well formed stems occur on alluvium soil along the local river banks. Well formed tall stance of tea are found in abundance on the aluminium soil along the river banks.
Spread over an area of more than 140 km², the dry peninsular sal forest is found in the western limit of distribution of species and appears at the most highest limit of dry sal and gives appearance of an huge and dense island of Sal surrounded by teak and miscellaneous species.
Both Satpura and Pachmarhi are rich in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. It’s a rich habitat of ferns and fern allies. The latest studies highlight existence of more than 138 species of Pteridophytes in Satpura and Pachmarhi hills. Endangered and in the verge of extinction, species like Psilotum, Lycopodium, Osmunda, Cyathea, Botrychium, Ophioglossum, Asplenium, Isoetes and Acrostichum.
The Brophutes tself hosts 83 species among 16 families. Restrictedly distributed species like Eulophia, Aerides, Dendrobium, Anervilla and Platanathera are also found. Worth mentioning are two endangered insectivorous species – Drosera and Utricularia which are found remotely. Bori sanctuary hosts a specific species of Bamboo – Bamboosa Polymorpha which can be identified by a few clumps.
Satpura as an immensely rich floral tribute to post and include almost 62 different tree species, 30 small tree species, 58 shrub species, 32 climbers species and almost 64 grass pieces. Abundant medicinal plant and rare herbs are also found which are favorite of the local tribals. Satpura is unique in nature as some species found nowhere in Madhya Pradesh is found in this location only, namely –
Malastoma Malabthricum, Moraya Paniculata, Holmskildia Senguines, Blumea Lanceleria, Sophora Interrupta, etc.
26 species of Himalaya and 42 species of Nilgiri are endemic to Satpura.
Some commonly found plants in Satpura are :
- Rare Orchid
- Nervilia Aragon
- Habenaria Marginata
- Dendrobium
- Rhnuchostyles
- Sarpgandha
- Keetbhakshi plant
- Ophioglossum Reticulasum
- Cyathia Spinulosa
- Daruhaldi