Ericaceae
(Heather/Heath Family)
Habit
- shrubs or trees
Leaves
-
alternate,
simple,
stipulate
Inflorescence
-
racemose, various...
Flowers
-
perfect, mostly
regular
Sepals
- 5 (4-7),
distinct or
connate
Petals
- 5 (4-7),
connate and often
urceolate
Stamens
- 10,
distinct;
anthers
often appendaged and opening by
pores
Ovary
-
superior (or
inferior), of 2-10
fused
carpels with 2-10
locules and
axile placentation
Fruit
-
capsule,
berry, or
drupe
Diversity
- 125 genera / 3500 species
Distribution
- boreal, temperate regions or mountains in tropics
Economics
- cultivated ornamentals (Azalea, Rhododendron) and Vaccinium source of:
blueberries, cranberries, huckleberries; all grow best in acidic, nutrient-poor soils and
most species have
mycorrhizal fungal associations that fix nitrogen, etc... for them.
Notes
-
Images
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