Forest communities are often described as having an overstory (or canopy) and an understory. The overstory is made up of the tallest trees, and their leafy branches in the treetops form the canopy. The understory layers of the forest are those closest to the ground. It can consist of layers of smaller trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Shrubs in the understory of the coastal forest at Cape Flattery include salal (Gaultheria shallon) and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). The lowest part of the understory of the coastal conifer forests has deer fern (Blechnum spicant), sword fern (Polystichum munitum), Siberian miner's-lettuce (Claytonia sibirica), Oregon wood-sorrel (Oxalis oregana), and May-lily (Maianthemum dilatatum).

Salal	Salmonberry

Deer fern	Sword fern

Wood-sorrel