Matorral is a Spanish word, along with tomillares, for shrubland, thicket or bushes.

The Tehuacán Valley matorral is a center of plant diversity, with over 2700 species, of which approximately 30% are endemic.

It is a center of diversity for species of Agave, Hechtia, Salvia, and cactus.

Of the 90 species of birds present, 10 are endemic, including the ocellated thrasher (Toxostoma ocellatum), and bridled sparrow (Aimorphilla mystacalis).

34 species of bats inhabit the ecoregion, of which 18 are endangered, vulnerable, or rare.