ground cover

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.

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