Leptospermum trees form a sparse canopy on the mountain's upper slopes, while grasses and Sphagnum moss cover the ground. The critically endangered pitcher plant species Nepenthes clipeata is endemic to Mount Kelam. Other Nepenthes native to this mountain include N. albomarginata, N. ampullaria, N. rafflesiana, and N. reinwardtiana. However, habitat stresses such as droughts and forest fires (particularly those caused by the El Niño of 1997-1998) have destroyed much of the summit vegetation. The highly sought-after N. clipeata has additionally suffered from overcollection by plant hunters and is now close to extinction in the wild.