91Ó°ÊÓ

The understory includes any plants that grow below the canopy. However, the word "understory" is usually reserved for shrub-sized species and smaller ones. Although certain tree species are small and grow beneath other trees, they are rarely labeled understory vegetation.

• Because of the absence of light, water is available for understory plants, which prevents the water from evaporating. They don't have to change their features to fit in with the water.
• Nutrients are obtained from canopy species' dead logs or dead organic debris. Indeed, they aid in the supply of nutrients to canopy species.
• Understory plants don't mind the heat. Heat is balanced due to the presence of canopy species, hence no adaptation is necessary for heat capture.

Plants in the understory have evolved to cope with less light and nutrients than their canopy relatives. To catch any sunshine or water that trickles down, they grow larger, wider leaves. Flowers are smaller and paler, and they don't always appear at the terminal of a plant's branches.