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'Underbrush': '' subter ramale'' (commonly referred to as the understory), is any small shrubbery found underneath or near a tree or forest. Though underbrush is commonly thought of as simply the shrubbery in deciduous forests, it can also include shrubbery in place such as the Savanna of Africa. Underbrush is normally located in damp or humid climates and prefers shaded areas but can also be found in sunny plain areas like that of Texas.


Underbrush also houses a unique variance of colorful and textured foliage. The plants range from dark greens to pale yellows and often contain oils which are likely to start brush fires. These fires occur mostly in arid, windy regions such as that of California.


Many animals also make their homes in the underbrush. Field mice and small birds commonly make their homes out of small twigs and pieces of foliage that have died or gone dry. This often draws the line between life and death for these small animals as the dense plants protect them from the view of predatory birds and other large predators. Snakes are also one of the common animals that reside within the grasses of the underbrush. These include both poisonous and harmless species; this is one of the reasons people tend to stay away from brushy areas.


When underbrush is found beneath a large tree(s), the foliage is often created from stunted trees or other larger plants whose growth has been interrupted due to the interference of the larger surrounding foliage. This is often the cause of the common misconception that underbrush can only be found under a thick canopy of trees (such as that of a forest or wood). As long as there are surrounding, larger trees, underbrush is still an occurrence.