3-37 Ericaceae, heath family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, dicots, heath family, Hypopithys, Monotropa, Empetrum, Corema, Calluna, Pyrola, Moneses, Orthilia, Chimaphila, Rhododendron, Gaultheria, Gaylussacia, Phyllodoce, Kalmia, Andromeda, Chamaedaphne, Lyonia, Arctostaphylos, Epigaea, Vaccinium, b

Abstract

All species of this family are woody, vines or shrubs. Totalling about 3500 species worldwide, most are found on peaty soils of headlands and bogs in particular.
Some are known for their ornamental beauty; others for their fruits.
Flowers are generally 4–5-merous, with twice as many stamens as petals. Ovary is inferior or superior, with a single pistil. Fruit is produced as a berry or capsule. Leaves are alternate, opposite or whorled..Some are known for their supberb fruit (cranberry, blueberry); others are famous ornamentals (rhododendrons and azaleas). Photographs are included from Sean Blaney, Martin Thomas, Alain Belliveau, David Mazerolle, Eugene Quigley, Ross Hall, and Jamie Ellison.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor