understory

[ uhn-der-stawr-ee, -stohr-ee ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌstɔr i, -ˌstoʊr i /

the shrubs and plants growing beneath the main canopy of a forest.

Origin of understory

First recorded in 1900–05; under- + story²

Understory thickets sprang up throughout most of the woodland, and especially in edge situations.

The Forest Habitat of the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation |Henry S. Fitch
Vegetation was pinyon-juniper woodland with an understory of mixed shrubs.

Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado |Charles L. Douglas
A dense growth of coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) forms the understory just below the crest of the hill.

Natural History of the Bell Vireo, Vireo bellii Audubon |Jon C. Barlow
Saplings of honey locust made up an important part of the understory vegetation on this slope.

The Forest Habitat of the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation |Henry S. Fitch

The highest population densities were in pinyon-juniper woodland having an understory of mixed shrubs.

Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado |Charles L. Douglas