ground cover

American  

Or groundcover

noun

1. the herbaceous plants and low shrubs in a forest, considered as a whole.

2. any of a variety of low-growing or trailing plants used to cover the ground in areas where grass is difficult to grow, as in dense shade or on steep slopes.

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ground cover British  

noun

1. 1. dense low herbaceous plants and shrubs that grow over the surface of the ground, esp, in a forest, preventing soil erosion or, in a garden, stifling weeds

   2. ( as modifier )

      ground-cover plants

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Etymology

Origin of ground cover

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Landslides would close PCH fairly regularly, and, indeed, last week, the immolation of ground cover sent rocks onto parts of PCH.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2025

The accuracy of climate models depends on many factors -- greenhouse gas emissions from industrial and transportation activity, farm animal "emissions," urban growth and loss of forests, and solar reflections off snow and ground cover.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2024

The “zombie fires” persist during winter because porous peat and moss ground cover in northern areas act as underground fuel for them.

From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2024

“We’re doing a variety of fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and vines, pollinator plants, ground cover, perennial vegetables—a whole range of things,” Jordan said.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2024

The ground cover, once cool, moist, and living, is hot, dry, and being destroyed.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes