Soils in these hills are shallow, well-drained, alkaline and interspersed between outcrops of hard limestone. Mean annual precipitation varies from 150 to 200 centimeters. Two strata are present in this type of forest. The upper strata is composed of a continuous layer which extends up to 2O meters in height with a few emergent trees reaching 25 meters. The second strata reaches 1O meters in height and the number of deciduous species is low.
Most species are evergreen, with simple, microphyllous leaves.
Palm species may be common in this strata. The understory includes species such as Eugenia biflora , E . foetida , E . Only four populations are known to exist, and three are located on privately-owned land. Individuals at presently known sites are threatened by urban, tourist, and industrial expansion, limestone quarrying, landfills, and forest clearing for agriculture. The Nevarez hills population is located adjacent to an active quarry.