The Knuckles range contains 5 major forest formations. At 450 M (1500 ft) the Tropical lowland wet semi evergreen forest gives way to the Tropical submontane wet semi-evergreen forest, which in turn becomes the Tropical montane evergreen forest at around 1050 M (3500 ft). Between 1500 M (5000 ft) and 1650 m (5500 ft) are found pygmy forests, a fantasy and of gnarled, stunted trees that live in a perpetually windy environment. The montane grasslands are found scattered in the area above 1050 m (3500 ft).

Intensive strips of riverine forests are located in areas flanking rivers and streams where soil moisture is high. Some areas that consist of a rocky subtratum and a thin layer of soil harbour rock outcrop forests. In addition to these natural vegetarian types, man influenced semi-natural vegetarian types present in the area include patches of wet patana grasslands and extensive dry patana grasslands interspersed with savannas.

The blend of these has created a unique set of ecosystems. Within the knuckles forest which sustain a rich and diverse fauna and flora. Many species found here are endemic and considered rare, some are even contained entirely to the knuckles region.


There are records of atleast 1,033 species of flowering plants from this forest, of which about 225 are tree species. A total of 160 species of plants found here (15%) are also endemic to Sri Lanka.

Woody Plants Diversity in the Knuckles forest

Families	Genera	Spp	Rare	Endemic	Nationally Threatened
141	595	1033	12	160	11