The Ericaceae, commonly known as the Heath family, is a diverse and fascinating group of plants that includes familiar favorites like blueberries and huckleberries (Vaccinium). This plant family is primarily composed of shrubs, though it also encompasses some herbs and trees. Ericaceae plants are characterized by their typically alternate and often evergreen leaves and their preference for growing in poor, acidic soils or bog environments.
One of the most distinctive features of the Ericaceae family is their flowers. These plants typically boast bisexual, regular or nearly regular flowers, often displaying 5 sepals united at the base and 5 petals, also usually united. In some cases, these numbers may vary to 4 or rarely more or less. The petals frequently form a bell shape and range in color from white to pink or red. The number of stamens is often the same as or double the number of petals. The ovary can be positioned either superior or inferior and is usually made up of 5 (sometimes 4, and rarely more or less) united carpels, complete with partition walls that create an equal number of chambers. The fruit of Ericaceae plants can vary, maturing as a capsule, a berry, or, less commonly, a drupe (a fleshy fruit enclosing a stony pit).
Globally, the Ericaceae family is substantial, encompassing approximately 126 genera and 4,000 species. Modern taxonomic classifications have broadened the scope of this family to include what were formerly recognized as the Pyrola and Indian Pipe families. These are now considered subfamilies within the Heath family. Furthermore, the Crowberry family has been integrated into the Ericaceae family as a tribe within one of its subfamilies.
Key Identification Features:
- Predominantly red or white bell-shaped flowers.
- Floral parts typically in fours or fives.
- Leaves are frequently evergreen.
Subfamilies within the Ericaceae Family
Heath Subfamily (Ericoideae) | White Heather Subfamily (Cassiopoideae) | Blueberry Subfamily (Vaccinioideae) | Madrone Subfamily (Arbutoideae) | Pyrola Subfamily | Indian Pipe Subfamily
For inquiries about high-resolution photos of these plants or to report any inaccuracies, please contact Thomas J. Elpel.
Heath Subfamily: Ericoideae
The Heath subfamily (Ericoideae) has been expanded by taxonomists to incorporate the former Rhododendron subfamily, as well as the entirety of the Crowberry family (Empetraceae). This revised classification presents a less intuitively organized system compared to older systems.
| Ledum glandulosum. Labrador Tea. | Ledum glandulosum. Labrador Tea. |
|---|---|
| Phyllodoce empetriformis. Pink Mountain Heather. Pine Creek Lake. Absaroka Mountains, Montana. | Phyllodoce glandulifera. Creamy Mountain Heather. |
| Menziesia ferruginea. False Huckleberry. | Menziesia ferruginea. False Huckleberry. |
| Kalmia microphylla. Western Bog Laurel. | Kalmia microphylla. Western Bog Laurel. Tobacco Root Mountains, Montana. |
| Calluna vulgaris. Common Heather. Native to Europe, invasive in New Zealand. | Rhododendron albiflorum. White Rhododendron. |
| Rhododendron albiflorum. White Rhododendron. | Rhododendron albiflorum. White Rhododendron. Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana. |
White Heather Subfamily: Cassiopoideae
The Cassiopoideae subfamily, known as White Heather, is characterized by plants with small, needle-like leaves and urn- or bell-shaped flowers.
| Cassiope mertensiana. White Mountain Heather. | Cassiope mertensiana. White Mountain Heather. |
|---|---|
| Cassiope tetragona. White Arctic Mountain Heather. | Explore further plant identification with Botany in a Day. |
Blueberry Subfamily: Vaccinioideae
Members of the Blueberry subfamily (Vaccinioideae) are distinguished by their leaf buds, which remain visible throughout winter. Their flower petals are fused into an urn or bell shape. The ovary position varies within this subfamily; it is inferior in berry-producing genera but superior in those that produce seed capsules. For clarity, genera within this subfamily are categorized into tribes based on their relationships.
| Gaultheria shallon. Salal. Oregon. | Gaultheria shallon. Salal. Washington. |
|---|---|
| Gaultheria humifusa. Alpine Wintergreen. Montana. | Vaccinium ovatum. California Huckleberry. |
| Vaccinium scoparium. Dwarf Huckleberry or Grouseberry. Tobacco Root Mountains, Montana. | Vaccinium scoparium. Dwarf Huckleberry or Grouseberry. Seven Devils Mountains, Idaho. |
| Vaccinium membranaceum. Thinleaf Huckleberry. | Vaccinium membranaceum. Thinleaf Huckleberry. Lava Lake Trail, Montana. |
| Vaccinium parviflorum. Red Huckleberry. | Vaccinium parviflorum. Red Huckleberry. Pacific Coast. |
| Vaccinium occidentale. Western Bog Blueberry. Yellowstone National Park. | Vaccinium sp. Huckleberry harvest. |
| Bilberry: Vaccinium myrtillus. | Bilberry: Vaccinium myrtillus. Sweden. |
| Lingon Berry: Vaccinium vitis-idaea. | Lingon Berry: Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Sweden. |
Madrone Subfamily: Arbutoideae
The Madrone subfamily (Arbutoideae) plants were previously classified within the Blueberry subfamily. The fruit in this subfamily is typically a berry. In Arbutus genera, the berries are soft and mushy, whereas in other genera, they are dry, mealy, and often astringent.
| Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Kinnikinnick. | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Kinnikinnick. Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area, Montana. |
Explore More:
Discover additional Heath Family pictures at PlantSystematics.org.
| Identify plants with Botany in a Day | Start foraging with Foraging the Mountain West |
|---|---|
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