Understory

In forestry and ecology, understory (American English), or understorey (Commonwealth English), also known as underbrush or undergrowth, includes plant life growing beneath the forest canopy without penetrating it to any great extent, but above the forest floor.

Only a small percentage of light penetrates the canopy so understory vegetation is generally shade-tolerant.

This causes a proliferation of ferns, mosses, and fungi and encourages nutrient recycling, which provides favorable habitats for many animals and plants.

In contrast understory shrubs complete their life cycles in the shade of the forest canopy.

The greater humidity encourages epiphytes such as ferns and mosses, and allows fungi and other decomposers to flourish.