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Ericaceae

(Family)

Overview

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The Ericaceae, commonly known as the heath or heather family, is a group of mostly calcifuge (lime-hating) flowering plants. The family is large, with roughly 4000 species spread across 126 genera, making it the 14th most speciose family of flowering plants.1] There are many well-known and economically important members of the Ericaceae, these include the cranberry, blueberry, huckleberry, azalea, rhododendron, and various common heaths and heathers (Erica, Cassiope, Daboecia, and Calluna for example).[2]

Description

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The Ericaceae contains a morphologically diverse range of taxa, including herbs, dwarf shrubs, shrubs and trees. The leaves are usually alternate or whorled, simple and without stipules, and hermaphrodite fl owers. The flowers show considerable variability. The petals are often fused (sympetalous) with shapes ranging from narrowly tubular to funnelform or widely bowl-shaped. The corollas are usually radially symmetrical (actinomorphic) but many flowers of the genus Rhododendron are somewhat bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic).[3]

Distribution and ecology

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Ericads have a nearly worldwide distribution. They are absent from continental Antarctica, parts of the high Arctic, central Greenland, northern and central Australia, and much of the lowland tropics and neotropics.[1]

The family is largely made up of calcifuge plants, that tend to thrive only in acidic soils. This is a trait not found in the Clethraceae and Cyrillaceae, the two families most closely related to the Ericaceae.

Most Ericaceae (excluding the Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, and some Styphelioideae) form mycorrhizae, where fungi grow in and around the roots and provide the plant with nutrients. This symbiotic relationship is considered crucial to the success of members of the family in edaphically stressful environments worldwide.[4] The Pyroleae tribe are mixotrophic and gain sugars from the mycorrhizae as well as nutrients.[5]

In many parts of the world, a "heath" or "heathland" is an environment characterised by an open dwarf-shrub community found on low quality acidic soils, generally dominated by plants in the Ericaceae. In eastern North America, members of this family often grow in association with an oak canopy, in a type of ecology known as an oak-heath forest. [6][7]

Systematics

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In 2002 systematic research conducted by Kron et al.[8] resulted in the inclusion of the formerly recognised families Empetraceae, Epacridaceae, Monotropaceae, Prionotaceae and Pyrolaceae into the Ericaceae. This was based on a combination of molecular, morphological, anatomical, and embryological data, analysed within a phylogenetic framework. The move significantly increased the morphological and geographical range found within the group. The resulting family now includes 9 subfamilies, 126 genera, and c. 4000 species:

  1. Enkianthoideae Kron, Judd & Anderberg (1 genus, 16 species)
  2. Pyroloideae Kosteltsky (4 genera, 40 species)
  3. Monotropoideae Arnott (10 genera, 15 species)
  4. Arbutoideae Niedenzu (5 genera, 80 specie s)
  5. Cassiopoideae Kron & Judd (1 genus, 12 species)
  6. Ericoideae Link (19 genera, 1790 species)
  7. Harrimanelloideae Kron & Judd (1 genus, 2 species)
  8. Styphelioideae Sweet (35 genera, 545 species)
  9. Vaccinioideae Arnott (50 genera, 1580 species)

Etymology

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The name Ericaceae comes from the type genus Erica, which appears derived from the Greek word ereike. The exact meaning is difficult to interpret, but some sources show it as simply meaning 'heather.'[9] The name may have been used informally to refer to the plants in pre-Linnaean times, and was simply formalised when Linnaeus described Erica in 1753, and then when Jussieu described the Ericaceae in 1789.[10]

Genera

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nus, 16 species)
  • Pyroloideae Kosteltsky (4 genera, 40 species)
  • Monotropoideae Arnott (10 genera, 15 species)
  • Arbutoideae Niedenzu (5 genera, 80 species)
  • Cassiopoideae Kron & Judd (1 genus, 12 species)
  • Ericoideae Link (19 genera, 1790 species)
  • Harrimanelloideae Kron & Judd (1 genus, 2 species)
  • Styphelioideae Sweet (35 genera, 545 species)
  • Vaccinioideae Arnott (50 genera, 1580 species)

    • Etymology

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    The name Ericaceae comes from the type genus Erica, which appears derived from the Greek word ereike. The exact meaning is difficult to interpret, but some sources show it as simply meaning 'heather.'[9] The name may have been used informally to refer to the plants in pre-Linnaean times, and was sim ply formalised when Linnaeus described Erica in 1753, and then when Jussieu described the Ericaceae in 1789.[10]

    Genera

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    References

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    1. ^ a b Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 9, June 2008. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/
    2. ^ Kathleen A. Kron, E. Ann Powell and J. L. Luteyn (2002). "Phylogenetic relationships within the blueberry tribe (Vaccinieae, Ericaceae) based on sequence data from MATK and nuclear ribosomal ITS regions, with comments on the placement of Satyria". American Journal of Botany 89 (2): 327?336. doi:10.3732/ajb.89.2.327. PMID 21669741. http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/89/2/327. 
    3. ^ Watson, L., Dallwitz, M.J. (1992 onwards) The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 4th March 2011. http://delta-intkey.com.
    4. ^ Cairney, JWG & Meharg, AA (2003). "Ericoid mycorrhiza: a partnership that exploits harsh edaphic conditions". European Journal of Soil Science 54 (4): 735?740. doi:10.1046/j.1351-0754.2003.0555.x. 
    5. ^ Liu, Z.; Wang, Z.; Zhou, J.; Peng, H. (2010). "Phylogeny of Pyroleae (Ericaceae): implications for character evolution". Journal of plant research 124 (3): 325?337. doi:10.1007/s10265-010-0376-8. PMID 20862511.  edit
    6. ^ The Natural Communities of Virginia Classification of Ecological Community Groups (Version 2.3), Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2010
    7. ^ Schafale, M. P. and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina: third approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation.
    8. ^ Kron, K.A., Judd, W.S., Stevens, P.F., Crayn, D.M., Anderberg, A.A., Gadek, P.A., Quinn, C.J., Luteyn, J.L. (2002). "Phylogenetic Classification of Ericaceae: Molecular and Morphological Evidence". The Botanical Review 68 (3): 335?423. 
    9. ^ Wiktionary. 2011. Ericaceae. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ericaceae
    10. ^ Jussieu, A.-L. de. 1789. Genera plantarum ordines naturales disposita. pg. 159-160. Herissant & Barrois, Paris.

    External links

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    Taxonomy

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    The Family Ericaceae is further organized into finer groupings including:

    Genera

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    Acosta

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    Acrostemon

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    Acrotriche

    Acrotriche is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. Species occur in all states of Australia. They include: [more]

    Acunna

    [more]

    Agapetes

    Agapetes is a semi-climbing shrub genus native to the Himalayas, grown as an ornamental for its attractive pendulous benches of red tubular flowers blooming over a long period. It is mostly grown in climates from cool temperate to sub-tropical. Propagation is from cuttings. [more]

    Agarista

    Agarista may be: [more]

    Agauria

    [more]

    Aguaria

    [more]

    Aliceara

    ? Aliceara, abbreviated Alcra. in the horticultural trade, is the nothogenus for intergeneric hybrids between the orchid genera Brassia, Miltonia and Oncidium (Brs. x Milt. x Onc.). [more]

    Amarygia

    [more]

    Amechania

    Amechania (or Amekhania) was the ancient Greek spirit of helplessness. She was regarded as a close companion (and sister) of Penia and Ptocheia. She was virtually identical to Aporia. Amechania was mentioned by ancient Greek authors such as Alcaeus (Fragment 364) and Herodotus. [more]

    Amelia

    [more]

    Ammyrsine

    [more]

    Andersonia

    Andersonia may refer to: [more]

    Andresia

    [more]

    Andreusia

    Catocala is a genus of noctuid moths commonly known as Underwings. (A few closely related genera are sometimes called Underwings as well, but usually the term is synonymous with this genus.) Most species have brightly colored underwings, orange, red, or white. The genus name is a combination of two Greek words, kato (behind), and kalos (beautiful). The bright hindwings are not visible at rest, being hidden by the dull forewings, but they help the moth avoid predators such as birds if they are disturbed during the day (Stevens 2005). The genus occurs in Eurasia and North America. Due to their variety of colors and species diversity, Underwings are popular with collectors of lepidoptera. Larvae (caterpillars) of most species feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs. [more]

    Andromeda

    Andromeda could refer to: [more]

    Anguloa

    Anguloa, commonly known as tulip orchids, is a small orchid genus closely related to Lycaste. Its abbreviation in horticulture is Ang. This genus was described by Jos? Antonio Pav?n and Hip?lito Ruiz L?pez in 1798. They named it in honor of , a contemporary Peruvian who collected orchids as a hobby and by this way had become quite knowledgeable about these plants, assisting the botanists in their work. [more]

    Aniserica

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    Anomalanthus

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    Anthodendron

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    Anthopteropsis

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    Anthopterus

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    Arachnocalyx

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    Arbutus

    Arbutus is a genus of at least 14 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, native to warm temperate regions of the Mediterranean, western Europe, and North America. [more]

    Arcterica

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    Arctostaphyllos

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    Arctostaphylos

    Arctostaphylos (; arkto bear + staphyle grape) is a genus of plants comprised by the manzanitas (/?m?nz?'ni?t?/) and bearberries. They are shrubs or small trees. [more]

    Arctostaphylus

    [more]

    Arctous

    Shrubs dwarf, deciduous. Twigs smooth, bark exfoliating in papery sheets; leaf or leaf bases marcescent. Leaf blade broad, margin serrate or crenate, flat. Flowers pendulous, 5-merous, in short terminal racemose clusters, with scales at base. Corolla urceolate, shortly lobed, abaxially glabrous, adaxially pubescent. Stamens included; filaments pubescent, much dilated below 1/3 length; anthers with 2 reflexed awns near apex, opening by 2 terminal pores. Ovary superior, glabrous, with one ovule per locule. Fruit a drupe; stones separate.[1] [more]

    Arsace

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    Arsenococcus

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    Astroloma

    Astroloma is an endemic Australian genus of around 20 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. [more]

    Azalea

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    Azaleastrum

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    Batodendron

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    Befaria

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    Bejaria

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    Biltia

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    Biramia

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    Blaeria

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    Blepharophyllum

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    Bodinieriella

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    Boretta

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    Botryostege

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    Brachyloma

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    Braxilia

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    Brossaea

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    Brossea

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    Bruckenthalia

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    Bryanthus

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    Bryophthalmum

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    Buxella

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    Caligula

    A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

    Callista

    Callista comes from the for "most beautiful (fem.)" (?a???st? - kalliste). It is an uncommon name for girls. [more]

    Calluna

    Calluna vulgaris (known as Common Heather, ling, or simply heather) is the sole species in the genus Calluna in the family Ericaceae. It is a low-growing perennial shrub growing to 20 to 50 centimetres (7.9 to 20 in) tall, or rarely to 1 metre (39 in) and taller, and is found widely in Europe and Asia Minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade. It is the dominant plant in most heathland and moorland in Europe, and in some bog vegetation and acidic pine and oak woodland. It is tolerant of grazing and regenerates following occasional burning, and is often managed in nature reserves and grouse moors by sheep or cattle grazing, and also by light burning. [more]

    Calopteryx

    Calopteryx is a genus of damselfly in family Calopterygidae. It contains the following species: [more]

    Candollea

    Stylidium (also known as triggerplants or trigger plants) is a genus of dicotyledonous plants that belong to the family Stylidiaceae. The genus name Stylidium is derived from the Greek st???? or stylos (column or pillar), which refers to the distinctive reproductive structure that its flowers possess. Pollination is achieved through the use of the sensitive "trigger", which comprises the male and female reproductive organs fused into a floral column that snaps forward quickly in response to touch, harmlessly covering the insect in pollen. Most of the approximately 300 species are only found in Australia, making it the fifth largest genus in that country. Triggerplants are considered to be protocarnivorous or carnivorous because the glandular trichomes that cover the scape and flower can trap, kill, and digest small insects with protease enzymes produced by the plant. [more]

    Cassandra

    A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

    Cassiope

    Cassiope is a genus of 9-12 small shrubby species in the family Ericaceae. They are native to the Arctic and north temperate montane regions. Common names, shared with several other similar related genera, include heather and heath. [more]

    Cavendishia

    Cavendishia is a genus of about 100 species of woody perennial plants, many of which are epiphytic. The genus is native to tropical South America and Central America. [more]

    Cavinium

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    Ceratiola

    The Sandhill-rosemary, Florida-rosemary or Sand heath, Ceratiola ericoides, is a usually included in the plant family Ericaceae, though treated by some botanists in the Empetraceae. [more]

    Ceratostema

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    Chamaecistus

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    Chamaedaphne

    The Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) is a shrub in the plant family Ericaceae and the only species in the genus Chamaedaphne. It has a wide distribution throughout the cool temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. [more]

    Chamaeledon

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    Chamaerhododendron

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    Cheilotheca

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    Cheirolophus

    The Maltese Centaury or Maltese Rock-centaury (Cheirolophus crassifolius) is a species of in the Asteraceae family. It is monotypic within the genus Cheirolophus. It is the national plant of Malta, where it is endemic. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and rocky shores. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

    Chimaphila

    Chimaphila (wintergreen; from Greek: cheima 'winter' and philos 'lover', hence 'winter lover') is a genus of five species of small, evergreen, flowering plants native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They are classified in the family Ericaceae, but were formerly placed in the segregate family Pyrolaceae. [more]

    Chimaphilia

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    Chiogenes

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    Chitalpa

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    Chlorocodon

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    Chupalon

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    Cinsania

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    Cladothamnus

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    Coccosperma

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    Coilostigma

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    Coleanthera

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    Comarostaphylis

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    Corema

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    Cosmelia

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    Costera

    A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

    Craibiodendron

    Shrubs or trees, evergreen. Twigs glabrous. Buds often superimposed, with 2-4 imbricate scales. Leaf petiole often reddish when young; leaf blade leathery, margin entire. Inflorescences axillary, paniculate or racemose. Pedicel short. Flowers small, 5-merous. Corolla campanulate or urceolate to tubular. Stamens much shorter than corolla; filaments geniculate, swollen near base, lacking appendages; anthers ± ovoid, dehiscing by introrse-terminal elliptic pores. Ovary superior, with many ovules per locule. Capsule depressed-globose, thick-walled, loculicidal. Seeds large; testa unilaterally winged.[2] [more]

    Cryptophila

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    Cuellaria

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    Cyanococcus

    Blueberries are perennial flowering plants of the genus Vaccinium (a genus which also includes cranberries and bilberries), with indigo-colored berries. Species in the section Cyanococcus are the most common fruits sold as "blueberries" and are native to North America (commercially cultivated highbush blueberries were not introduced into Europe until the 1930s). [more]

    Cyathodes

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    Daboecia

    Daboecia () is a small genus in the family Ericaceae, containing two shrubby species, closely related to the genus Erica. [more]

    Daphnidostaphylis

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    Decachaena

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    Decamerium

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    Demosthenesia

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    Dendrium

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    Desmogyne

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    Desmothamnus

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    Didonica

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    Dimorphanthera

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    Diogenesia

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    Diplarche

    Shrubs dwarf, evergreen, densely pulvinate. Leaves crowded, sessile; leaf blade linear or linear-elliptic, small, leathery, margin serrate or long-ciliate, apex subacute or ending in a gland. Inflorescence terminal, racemose or subcapitate. Bracts and bracteoles leaflike, margin glandular-ciliate. Calyx lobes 5, leathery, margin glandular-ciliate. Corolla rose, small, deciduous; tube cylindric; lobes 5, patent. Stamens 10, included: 5 basal or hypogynous, 5 inserted high on corolla and alternating with corolla lobes; anthers elliptic, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary globose, 5-celled, glabrous; style short; stigma capitate, 5-lobed. Capsule globose, enclosed by calyx, septicidally 5-valved; wall of cells splitting into two layers. Seeds many; testa with reticulate veins.[3] [more]

    Diplycosia

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    Disophyllum

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    Disterigma

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    Doritis

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    Dracophyllum

    Dracophyllum is a genus of plants belonging to the family Ericaceae, formerly Epacridaceae. There are some one hundred or so species in the genus, mostly shrubs but also cushion plants and trees, found in New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia. The name, Dracophyllum or Dragon-leaf refers to their strange, almost prehistoric appearance. Although dicotyledonous they resemble primitive monocots with their slender leaves concentrated in clumps at the ends of the branches; they are sometimes called Grass-trees. [more]

    Dryadella

    Dryadella is a of miniature orchids, formerly included in the genus Masdevallia. Plants are typically composed of a tuft of leaves from 3 to 6 cm long. The small (1-2 cm) flowers are often conspicuously spotted, and are borne at the base of the leaves. There are about 40 species, distributed from southern Mexico to southern Brazil and northern Argentina. In cultivation many of the species seem to respond well to being grown on cork or treefern rather than in pots. The attractive species Dryadella edwallii, commonly known as 'Partridge in the Grass' can be easily grown into a spectacular specimen plant, full of flowers. [more]

    Ectasis

    A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

    Eleutherostemon

    [more]

    Elliottia

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    Ematis

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    Empedoclesia

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    Empetrum

    Crowberry (Empetrum) is a small genus of dwarf evergreen shrubs that bear edible fruit. They are commonly found in the northern hemisphere, from temperate to subarctic climates, and also in the Andes of South America and on Tristan da Cunha (South Atlantic Ocean). The typical habitat is on moorlands, tundra and muskeg, but also in spruce forests. [more]

    Englerodoxa

    [more]

    Enkianthus

    Shrubs or small trees, deciduous, rarely evergreen. Leaves clustered at ends of twigs, petiolate; leaf blade serrate or subentire. Inflorescence terminal, in umbels or corymbose racemes, flowers rarely solitary or in pairs, 5-merous. Corolla broadly campanulate to urceolate; lobes short. Stamens much shorter than corolla; filaments flattened, distinctly dilated towards base; anthers oblong, thecae each dehiscing by an elongate slit, awned at apex; pollen grains single. Ovary superior, with few ovules per locule; stigma truncate. Capsule loculicidal, ovoid. Seeds several or one; testa lamellate-winged.[4] [more]

    Epacris

    Epacris is a of about 35-40 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, though formerly often treated in a separate family Epacridaceae. The genus is native to eastern and southeastern Australia (southeast Queensland south to Tasmania and west to southeast South Australia), New Caledonia and New Zealand. The species are known as heaths or Australian heaths. [more]

    Epigaea

    Epigynium

    [more]

    Episcopia

    A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

    Eremia

    [more]

    Eremiella

    [more]

    Eremiopsis

    [more]

    Eremocallis

    [more]

    Eremotropa

    [more]

    Erica

    Erica is genus of over 700 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae; the English names, both shared with some other closely related plants, are heath or heather (although the latter is actually Calluna). [more]

    Ericaceae

    Ericinella

    [more]

    Ericodes

    [more]

    Ericoides

    [more]

    Eubotryoides

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    Eubotrys

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    Eurygania

    [more]

    Eurylepis

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    Findlaya

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    Gaulnettya

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    Gaultheria

    Gaultheria is a genus of about 170-180 species of shrubs in the family Ericaceae. The name memorializes M. Hugues Gauthier of Quebec, a mis-spelt honour bestowed by the Scandanavian Pehr Kalm in 1748. These plants are native to Asia, North and South America, and Australasia. In the past, the Southern Hemisphere species were often treated in a separate genus Pernettya; however, there is no consistent reliable morphological or genetic difference to support recognition of two genera, and they are now united in the single genus Gaultheria. [more]

    Gaulthettya

    [more]

    Gautiera

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    Gaylussacia

    Gaylussacia is a genus of about fifty species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, native to the Americas, where they occur in eastern North America (eight species) and in South America in the Andes (seven species) and the mountains of southeastern Brazil (the remaining thirty-five species). Common English names include huckleberry (shared with plants in several other genera) and "dangleberry". [more]

    Geaya

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    Glyciphylla

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    Gonocalyx

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    Grisebachia

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    Gypsocallis

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    Harrimanella

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    Hemitomes

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    Herpothamnus

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    Heucherella

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    Hochenwartia

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    Hornemannia

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    Hugeria

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    Hymenanthes

    Rhododendron subg. Hymenanthes is a subgenus of the genus Rhododendron, with a widespread distribution in the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The species are evergreen shrubs and small to medium-sized trees (up to 20 m tall), with medium-sized to large leaves (very large, over 40 cm long, in a few species). The flowers are large, produced in terminal trusses of 5-40 together. [more]

    Hypopitys

    [more]

    Iaera

    Itasina

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    Kalmia

    Kalmia is a genus of about 8 species of evergreen shrubs from 0.2?5 m tall, in the family Ericaceae. They are native to North America (mainly in the eastern half of the continent) and Cuba. They grow in acidic soils, with different species in wet acid bog habitats (K. angustifolia, K. polifolia) and dry, sandy soils (K. ericoides, K. latifolia). [more]

    Kalmiella

    [more]

    Kalmiopsis

    A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

    Killipiella

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    Lamprotis

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    Lateropora

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    Lebetanthus

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    Ledodendron

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    Ledothamnus

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    Ledum

    Ledum is a genus name formerly widely recognised in the family Ericaceae, including 8 species of evergreen shrubs native to cool temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and commonly known as Labrador Tea. [more]

    Leptecophylla

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    Leucopogon

    Leucopogon is a genus of about 150-160 species of flowering plants belonging to the family Ericaceae, in the section of that family formerly treated as the separate family Epacridaceae. They are native to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, the western Pacific Islands and Malaysia, with the greatest species diversity in southeastern Australia. The common name is beard-heath or beard heath. [more]

    Leucothoe

    The word Leucothoe can mean several things: [more]

    Lichtensteinia

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    Loiseleuria

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    Lyonia

    Lyonia is a genus name in biology: [more]

    Lysiclesia

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    Lysinema

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    Macleania

    Macleania is a genus of in family Ericaceae. [more]

    Macnabia

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    Macrolinum

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    Mairania

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    Malea

    A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

    Meisteria

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    Melidora

    The Hook-billed Kingfisher (Melidora macrorrhina) is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family. It is the only species within the genus Melidora.[] It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. [more]

    Mendoncella

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    Menziesia

    Menziesia is a genus of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. [more]

    Mitrastylus

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    Moneses

    Moneses uniflora (L.) Gray (One-flowered Wintergreen (Scotland); Single Delight; St. Olaf's Candlestick (Norway)) is a plant of the family of Ericaceae, that is indigenous to moist coniferous forests in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere from Spain to Japan and across North America. It is the sole member of genus Moneses. [more]

    Monotoca

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    Monotropa

    Monotropa is a genus of two species of herbaceous perennial plants, formerly classified in the family Monotropaceae, but now included within the Ericaceae. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, but are generally scarce or rare. [more]

    Monotropastrum

    Herbs perennial, obligate mycoparasitic, from persistent root system. Roots forming a rather dense mass. Stems absent. Leaves absent. Inflorescences scapose or racemose, arising in nodding position from roots; inflorescence bracts laminar, sessile, usually appressed to inflorescence axis. Flowers solitary on scapes or in several flowered racemes, each flower usually nodding at anthesis, erect in fruit. Sepals (1) 3(5), occasionally absent, appressed to petals. Petals 35, oblong, abaxially glabrous, adaxially finely pubescent, base broadly saccate, apex dilated. Stamens ca. as long as petals, usually 610 in two series of alternating lengths. Anthers horizontally reniform, with terminal slits. Disk of paired lobes at bases of shorter series of stamens. Ovary 1-loculed, with 4 or 5 or more parietal placentae; style 36 mm, slender, merging imperceptibly with ovary, without visible dehiscence lines. Fruit an indehiscent berry. Seeds minute, numerous, ovoid, cell reticulate, without wings or appendages.[5] [more]

    Monotropsis

    [more]

    Myrtillus

    [more]

    Nabea

    [more]

    Nagelocarpus

    Nanium

    A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

    Needhamiella

    [more]

    Newberrya

    [more]

    Notopora

    [more]

    Odontioda

    [more]

    Oligarrhena

    [more]

    Omphalocaryon

    [more]

    Oreanthes

    [more]

    Oreocallis

    [more]

    Ornithostaphylos

    Ornithostaphylos is a monotypic plant genus which contains the single species Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia, the Baja birdbush or Baja California birdbush. This is a shrub native to the plant community of the coastline of southern California and northern Baja California. This bush has long, narrow, leathery evergreen leaves with edges rolled under. The bark on the branches is thin and the younger branches and twigs are reddish in color. The bush bears rounded, lantern-shaped white flowers on drooping pedicels. [more]

    Orphanidesia

    [more]

    Orthaea

    [more]

    Orthilia

    Subshrubs evergreen, herbaceous, small. Leaves spiral or subverticillate at middle of stem, thin. Inflorescence racemose, small; scape small papillose. Flowers 4 15 along one side of raceme, small. Petals not persistent. Anthers lacking tubules. Disk 10-lobed. Stamens 10, erect, projecting; tubes absent. Styles erect, slender; stigmas peltate. Capsule pubescent at margin of valve.[6] [more]

    Osmothamnus

    [more]

    Ourisia

    [more]

    Oxycoccus

    Cranberries are a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines in the subgenus Oxycoccus of the genus Vaccinium. In some methods of classification, Oxycoccus is regarded as a genus in its own right. They can be found in acidic bogs throughout the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere. [more]

    Oxydendron

    [more]

    Oxydendrum

    Sourwood or sorrel tree (Oxydendrum arboreum, ) is the sole species in the genus Oxydendrum, in the family Ericaceae. It is native to eastern North America, from southern Pennsylvania south to northwest Florida and west to southern Illinois; it is most common in the lower chain of the Appalachian Mountains. The tree is frequently seen as a component of oak-heath forests. [more]

    Oxydendum

    [more]

    Pachycalyx

    [more]

    Paphia

    [more]

    Parahebe

    [more]

    Parapyrola

    [more]

    Pardoglossum

    [more]

    Pellegrinia

    Pentapera

    [more]

    Pentapterygium

    [more]

    Periclesia

    [more]

    Pernettya

    Gaultheria is a genus of about 170-180 species of in the family Ericaceae. The name memorializes M. Hugues Gauthier of Quebec, a mis-spelt honour bestowed by the Scandinavian Pehr Kalm in 1748. These plants are native to Asia, North and South America, and Australasia. In the past, the Southern Hemisphere species were often treated in a separate genus ; however, there is no consistent reliable morphological or genetic difference to support recognition of two genera, and they are now united in the single genus Gaultheria. [more]

    Pernettyopsis

    [more]

    Phalerocarpus

    [more]

    Philippia

    Philippia is a genus of plant in family Ericaceae. It contains the following species (but this list may be incomplete): [more]

    Philotheca

    Philotheca is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Rutaceae. Many plants formerly in Eriostemon are now in this genus. [1] [more]

    Phylliopsis

    [more]

    Phyllodoce

    Phyllodoce is a small genus of plants which includes the mountainheaths or mountain heathers. These are low matting shrubs with distinctive leaves which roll under themselves so tightly they resemble pine needles. They bear attractive flowers in shades of pink and purple. Phyllodoce are found in mountainous regions of North America, especially the western United States. [more]

    Phyllothamnus

    [more]

    Pieris

    Pieris is two different genera: [more]

    Pityopus

    [more]

    Platycalyx

    [more]

    Pleioblastus

    Pleioblastus is a genus of monopodial bamboo. Genetic research indicates that this genus may properly be part of the genus Arundinaria. [more]

    Pleuricospora

    [more]

    Plutarchia

    [more]

    Polifolia

    [more]

    Polyclita

    [more]

    Polycodium

    [more]

    Portuna

    [more]

    Prionotes

    [more]

    Pritzelago

    [more]

    Proclesia

    [more]

    Psammisia

    [more]

    Pyrola

    Ramischia

    [more]

    Rhodanthemum

    [more]

    Rhodococcum

    [more]

    Rhododendron

    Rhododendron (from Ancient Greek ??d?? "rose" and d??d??? d?ndron "tree") is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers. It includes the plants known to gardeners as azaleas. It is the national flower of Nepal. [more]

    Rhodora

    Rhodora is a section of subgenus Pentanthera in the genus Rhododendron. It comprises two species, both deciduous shrubs native to eastern North America: [more]

    Rhodothamnus

    [more]

    Rhyncholaelia

    Rhyncholaelia, abbreviated Rhynch in horticultural trade, is a of orchids (family Orchidaceae), comprising 2 species. They are distributed from Mexico to Honduras. They were previously included in Brassavola. [more]

    Richea

    [more]

    Rigidella

    [more]

    Rigiolepis

    [more]

    Rracenia

    [more]

    Rusbya

    [more]

    Salaxis

    [more]

    Sarcodes

    [more]

    Satyria

    [more]

    Scyphogyne

    Semiramisia

    [more]

    Seriphidium

    [more]

    Silaum

    Herbs, perennial, glabrous. Stem erect, solid, striate, base clothed in fibrous remnant sheaths. Leaves long-petiolate, 34-pinnate; ultimate segments broadly lanceolate to linear, acute. Umbels compound, terminal and lateral; bracts absent or few, linear, deciduous; bracteoles numerous. Calyx teeth minute, conspicuous. Petals yellow, outer reddish-tinged, ovate, midvein elevated on both surfaces, apex narrowly inflexed. Stylopodium low-conic; styles short, reflexed. Fruit ovoid-oblong to subcylindrical, glabrous; mericarps subpentagonal in cross section; ribs 5, acute, narrowly winged; vittae small, numerous, obscure when mature. Seed face plane. Carpophore 2-cleft to base.[7] [more]

    Simocheilus

    [more]

    Siphonandra

    [more]

    Siphonostema

    [more]

    Socratesia

    [more]

    Solidaster

    [more]

    Sophoclesia

    [more]

    Sphenotoma

    [more]

    Sphyrospermum

    [more]

    Stemmacantha

    [more]

    Stenocoelium

    Herbs, perennial. Root rather thick. Stem inconspicuous or short-caulescent, base clothed with fibrous remnant sheaths. Basal leaves numerous, rosulate, petiolate, sheathing; blade 2-pinnate. Umbels compound, primary umbel terminal; bracts and bracteoles numerous, linear or linear-lanceolate, with short hairs, margins broadly white-membranous; rays stout, angular; umbellules many-flowered; lateral umbels smaller. Calyx teeth conspicuous, acute-triangular. Petals white, midrib violet, obovate, base cuneate, apex notched with a narrow incurved lobule, pubescent abaxially. Stylopodium short-conical; styles ca. 2 × stylopodium, reflexed. Fruit ovoid, slightly compressed dorsally; ribs thick-obtuse, very prominent, irregularly denticulate especially along ribs, denticles stiff-membranous or with stiffly scarious-processes and hairs; furrows narrow; vittae 1 in each furrow, 2 on commissure. Seed face plane. Carpophore 2-cleft to base.[8] [more]

    Stokoeanthus

    [more]

    Styphelia

    [more]

    Symphysia

    [more]

    Sympieza

    [more]

    Syndesmanthus

    Tepuia

    [more]

    Tepuiac

    [more]

    Thelaia

    [more]

    Themistoclesia

    [more]

    Therorhodion

    [more]

    Thibaudia

    [more]

    Thoracosperma

    [more]

    Tripetaleia

    [more]

    Tritomodon

    [more]

    Trochocarpa

    [more]

    Tsusiophyllum

    [more]

    Unedo

    [more]

    Utleya

    [more]

    Uva-Ursi

    [more]

    Vacciniopsis

    [more]

    Vaccinium

    Vaccinium is a genus of shrubs in the plant Family Ericaceae including the cranberry, blueberry, bilberry or whortleberry, cowberry or lingonberry, and huckleberry. The genus contains about 450 species, which are found mostly in the cooler areas of the Northern Hemisphere, although there are tropical species from as widely separated areas as Madagascar and Hawai'i. The plants prefer heath landscapes, as well as open forests. The name Vaccinium was used for a type of berry (probably the bilberry V. myrtillus) in classical Latin, but its ultimate derivation is obscure; it has nothing to do with vaccinum "of or pertaining to cows", but may be a corruption of Latin bacca, berry (OED). [more]

    Vaccinum

    [more]

    Vireya

    [more]

    Vitis-Idaea

    [more]

    Waldemaria

    [more]

    Wissmannia

    [more]

    Wittsteinia

    [more]

    Woollsia

    [more]

    X Phylliopsis

    Xerobotrys

    Xolisma

    [more]

    Xylococcus

    The Xylococcus may refer to: [more]

    Zenobia

    A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

    At least 17 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Zenobia.

    More info about the Genus Zenobia may be found here.

    References

    [ Back to top ]
    1. ^ a b Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 9, June 2008. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/
    2. ^ Kathleen A. Kron, E. Ann Powell and J. L. Luteyn (2002). "Phylogenetic relationships within the blueberry tribe (Vaccinieae, Ericaceae) based on sequence data from MATK and nuclear ribosomal ITS regions, with comments on the placement of Satyria". American Journal of Botany 89 (2): 327?336. doi:10.3732/ajb.89.2.327. PMID 2 1669741. http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/89/2/327. 
    3. ^ Watson, L., Dallwitz, M.J. (1992 onwards) The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 4th March 2011. http://delta-intkey.com.
    4. ^ Cairney, JWG & Meharg, AA (2003). "Ericoid mycorrhiza: a partnership that exploits harsh edaphic conditions". European Journal of Soil Science 54 (4): 735?740. doi:10.1046/j.1351-0754.2003.0555.x. 
    5. ^ Liu, Z.; Wang, Z.; Zhou, J.; Peng, H. (2010). "Phylogeny of Pyroleae (Ericaceae): implications for character evolution". Journal of plant research 124 (3): 325?337. doi:10.1007/s10265-010-0376-8. PMID 20862511.  edit
    6. ^ The Natural Communities of Virginia Classification of Ecological Community Groups (Version 2.3), Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2010
    7. ^ Schafale, M. P. and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina: third approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation.
    8. ^ Kron, K.A., Judd, W.S., Stevens, P.F., Crayn, D.M., Anderberg, A.A., Gadek, P.A., Quinn, C.J., Luteyn, J.L. (2002). "Phylogenetic Classification of Ericaceae: Molecular and Morphological Evidence". The Botanical Review 68 (3): 335?423. 
    9. ^ Wiktionary. 2011. Ericaceae. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ericaceae
    10. ^ Jussieu, A.-L. de. 1789. Genera plantarum ordines naturales disposita. pg. 159-160. Herissant & Barrois, Paris.

    Footnotes

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    1. Fang Rhui-cheng, Peter F. Stevens "Arctous". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 257. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.
    2. Fang Rhui-cheng, Peter F. Stevens "Craibiodendron". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 459. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.
    3. Yang Han-pi, David F. Chamberlain "Diplarche". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 258. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.
    4. Mingyuan Fang, Ruizheng Fang, Mingyou He, Linzheng Hu, Hanbi Yang, Haining Qin, Tianlu Min, David F. Chamberlain, Peter Stevens, Gary D. Wallace & Arne Anderberg "Enkianthus". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 243. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.
    5. Qin Haining, Gary D. Wallace "Monotropastrum". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 256. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.
    6. Mingyuan Fang, Ruizheng Fang, Mingyou He, Linzheng Hu, Hanbi Yang, Haining Qin, Tianlu Min, David F. Chamberlain, Peter Stevens, Gary D. Wallace & Arne Anderberg "Orthilia". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 247. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.
    7. Sheh Meng-lan, Mark F. Watson "Silaum". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 134. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.
    8. Pu Fa-ting, Mark F. Watson "Stenocoelium". in Flora of China Vol. 14 Page 139. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org.

    Sources

    [ Back to top ]
    Last Revised: August 24, 2012
    2012/08/24 13:31:22