Wildlife of Myanmar

Flora

Like all Southeastern Asian forests, the forests of Myanmar can be divided into two categories: monsoon forest and rainforest. Monsoon forest is dry at least three months a year, and is dominated by deciduous trees. Rainforests have a rainy season of at least nine months, and are dominated by broadleaf evergreen.

In the Himalayan region north of the Tropic of Cancer, flora changes with altitude. Up to around 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), the dominate vegetation is subtropical broadleaf evergreen. Between 2,000 and 3,000 metres (6,600 and 9,800 ft), semi-deciduous broadleaf dominates, and above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), evergreen conifers and subalpine forest are the primary flora. At even higher elevations, alpine scrublands are common.

The area from Yangon to Myitkyina is mostly monsoon forest, while peninsular Malaysia south of Mawlamyine is primarily rainforest, with some overlap between the two. Along the coasts of Rakhine State and Tanintharyi Division, tidal forests occur in estuaries, lagoons, tidal creeks, and low islands. These forests are host to the much-depleted Myanmar Coast mangroves habitat of mangrove and other trees that grow in mud and are resistant to sea water. Forests along the beaches consist of palm trees, hibiscus, casuarinas, and other trees resistant to storms.

As of 2025, there are about 14,020 species of plants, including 13,314 native species and 706 introduced species. The top 10 largest families of Myanmar flora are Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, Acanthaceae, Lamiaceae, Ericaceae, Cyperaceae, and Rosaceae.