noun
understory; understorey
Ecological term for the layer of vegetation beneath the forest canopy, consisting of shrubs and small trees.
この森の低木層には、さまざまな種類の低木が生えている。
Various kinds of shrubs grow in the understory of this forest.
Refers to the herbaceous layer on the forest floor, lower than the shrub layer (低木層).
Compound of 低木 (ていぼく, 'shrub') and 層 (そう, 'layer').