The Collaborative International Dictionary
Suffruticose
Suffruticose \Suf*fru"ti*cose`\, a. [Pref. suf- + fruticose.] (Bot.) Woody in the lower part of the stem, but with the yearly branches herbaceous, as sage, thyme, hyssop, and the like.
Wiktionary
suffruticose
a. (context botany English) Having a woody base, but shrubby higher up