understory

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

under- + story

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʌndə(ɹ)ˌstɔː(ɹ)i/
    • (file)

Noun

understory (plural understories)

  1. The layer of plants that grow in the shade of the canopy of a forest.
    Synonyms: underbrush, undergrowth
    Antonym: overstory
    • 2003, Frank S. Gilliam; Mark R. Roberts, The Herbaceous Layer in Forests of Eastern North America, OUP USA, →ISBN, page 38:
      Light availability is the primary limiting resource for understory plants of eastern deciduous forests, and their long-term persistence in these habitats depends on adaptations that enable photosynthesis sufficient to maintain a positive annual carbon balance (Pearcy et al. 1987).

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