Ericaceae
The Ericaceae is a relatively large family of flowering plants that include azaleas, blueberries, heathers, rhododendrons, and wintergreens. Most of the species are shrubs or trees, but one group is herbaceous and some of these plants lack chlorophyll.
Most of the species in the Ericaceae are sun-loving plants that grow in acid soils. Bogs, pocosins, and moors are some habitats where Ericaceae can be found in abundance. The flowers in the family can be showy and insect pollinated or wind pollinated and brownish in color. Many members of the Ericaceae are important in horticulture (e.g., rhododendrons, azaleas) or in small fruit crops (cranberries, blueberries). Shrubs and trees are the most common growth form in the family, but some species are epiphytes, lianas, or extremely small mat-forming shrubs.
Click on any name below
Phylogenetic trees of Ericaceae!
Detailed description of Ericaceae
back to homepage