Proteaceous scrub is found on schist-derived soils between 1100 and 1800 meters elevation, interspersed with schist grasslands. Dominant shrubs are from the protea family (Proteaceae), including "Protea caffra, P . welwitschii, P . wentzeliana", and "Leucospermum saxosum", together with smaller shrubs, herbs, and grasses. Other shrubland types are mixed sclerophyll scrub, which contains a mix of Ericaceous and Proteaceous species, and bracken scrub, characterized by the bracken fern "Pteridium aquilinum" together with shrubs and tall grasses. Bracken scrub is found on richer soils near forest patches. The mountains are home to three types of miombo woodland. Trees are generally 4 to 8 meters high, with 20 to 60% canopy cover, with grasses and bracken covering the ground. Mzhenje "(Uapaca kirkiana)" woodland is found on east-facing slopes below 1200 meters elevation, typically on schist-derived soils. Mzhenge is accompanied by the trees "Brachystegia utilis, Pterocarpus angolensis", and "Pericopsis angolensis" at lower elevations. Msasa "(Brachystegia spiciformis)" woodland is also found on schist soils. Trees tend to grow low (2 to 4 meters high) and widely scattered at higher elevations. At lower elevations the trees grow higher and closer, and "Uapaca kirkiana" and "Faurea saligna" accompany msasa. Woodland of "Brachystegia tamarindoides" subsp. "microphylla" grows on quartzite outcrops and rocky slopes. The trees grow low and spreading, and are draped with tassels of "Usnea" lichen. Montane forests occur in scattered patches, typically in sheltered areas with access to year-round moisture. Small patches of 1 to 5 hectares are most common, with patches up to 30 km in some locations. The largest patch discovered by Timberlake et al. was 240 hectares, on a west-facing slope above the Nyahedzi River. Trees form a closed canopy 10 to 15 meters high. Lianas and epiphytes are common in the canopy, and the understory plants are mostly ferns and mosses.