undergrowth; weeds beneath trees
Refers to low-growing plants, grass, or weeds under trees or in a forest. Often used in gardening, forestry, or nature descriptions.
I cut the undergrowth in the garden.
森の中は下草が生い茂っていた。
The forest was thick with undergrowth.
Standard kanji spelling. The reading したぐさ is also possible but less common.
Compound of 下 (した, 'under') and 草 (くさ, 'grass'). The reading したぐさ is a rendaku variant.