The forests of Satpura represent remarkable vegetation diversity and area is true juncture of representative forest types prevailing in MP by forming an eco-tone of two most important forest forming species of Central India i.e. Teak (Tectona grandis) and Sal (Shorea robusta). The dividing line which segregates the isolated patches of Pachmarhi’s stunted growth of Sal on plateau from Bori teak of Bori valley.
As per Champion and Seth’s revised classification of Indian Forest types (1968), categories at the upper canopy levels are as follows:-
| Subgroup 3B | South Indian Moist Deciduous Forests |
| 3B/C1 – Moist Teak Bearing Forests | |
| 3B/C2 – Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests | |
| Subgroup 4E | Tropical Riparian Fringing Forests |
| 4E/RS1- Riparian Fringing Forests | |
| Subgroup 5A | Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests |
| 5A/C1 - Dry Teak Bearing Forests | |
| 5A/C1b - Dry Teak Forests | |
| 5A/C3 - Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests | |
| 5A/E2 – Boswellia Forests | |
| Subgroup 5B | Northern tropical dry deciduous forest |
| 5B/C1c – Dry peninsular Sal Forests | |
| Subgroup 6A | Southern Tropical Thorn Forests |
| 6A/C1 - Southern Thorn Forests | |
| Subgroup 8A | Southern tropical broadleaved Hill Forests |
| 8A/C3 – Central Indian Sub-Tropical Hill Forests |
The area is endowed with rich floral diversity and inventory is not exhaustive. A lot of research and studies have been conducted in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. The under story in the Bori reserve is represented by the finest quality bamboo in central India. Thus it will be seen that habitat structure and canopy density are varied, and range from the early to the late succession stages. The forest composition and structure of tree stands have thus influenced the occurrence and distribution of other vegetation communities and species, the quality of habitats and consequently the distribution and abundance of wild animals.
The riparian system in the area has a dendritic pattern that connects all kinds of habitats across elevation gradients. Thus they form the most important corridors for movement and dispersal of propegules of several species of plants, and the movement and dispersal of wild animals. Though ideal but it is not essential to have continuous riparian vegetation throughout for the purpose.
However, for the general understanding purpose, the forest of STR may be termed as ‘Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest with predominance of both Sal and Teak in different areas’ and it may be classified in following categories: