The temperate rain forest in the valleys of the Quinault, Queets, and Hoh rivers are protected and contain some of the most spectacular examples of the Sitka spruce community. The mountains to the east also protect the coastal areas from severe weather extremes. Douglas-fir, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, red alder, vine maple, and black cottonwood are also found throughout the forest. Nearly every bit of space is taken up with a living plant. Nearly every bit of space is taken up with a living plant.
Some plants even live on others.
These are the epiphytes , plants that do not come into contact with the earth, but also are not parasites. Mosses, lichens and ferns cover just about anything else. Sorrel is also a common ground cover. But because of this dense ground cover it is hard for seedlings to get a start. Many seedlings germinate on fallen, decaying trees.