Styphelioideae
(old name = Epacridaceae)
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Styphelioideae (old name = Epacridaceae)
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Most members of the Styphelioideae are restricted to Australia
and New Zealand. These plants prefer acid soils and often have tough leaves
that end in a sharp point. The flowers often have a fuzzy appearance due
to the hairs inside the petals. |
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This group used to be called the Epacridaceae and was
considered a distinct family from the Ericaceae. Recent studies using
DNA sequences have shown that blueberries are actually more closely related
to the Styphelioideae (=Epacridaceae) than they are to rhododendrons.Recent
research has also shown that the Tasmanian endemic Prionotes cerinthoides
is most closely related to Lebetanthus myrsinoides that only grows
in Chile! These two species represent a very early branch in the evolutionary
history of the Styphelioideae.
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Distribution Map of Styphelioideae throughout the World |
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back to Ericaceae |
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