Diurnal circulations are vigorously developed with wind blowing down the mountain from evening throughout the night into the middle of the morning, and a reversal to upslope flow from then into the afternoon. Juniperus procera and Podocarpus spp. However, most of this lower altitude zone is not within the reserve and is now used for growing wheat. Towards the west and north of the mountain, bamboo becomes progressively smaller and less dominant. A more open canopy results in a more developed understorey.
Grassy glades are common especially on ridges.
Tussock grasses Festuca pilgeri , and sedges Carex spp. Between the tussocks there are Alchemilla cyclophylla , A. johnstonii , and Geranium vagans . Senecio brassica is found in both the lower and upper alpine zone. There are a variety of grasses on well-drained ground and along the streams and river banks such as megaphytic Senecio battescombei and Helichrysum kilimanjari . Continuous vegetation stops at about 4,500m although isolated vascular plants have been found at over 5,000m.