Ericales
A diverse order of flowering plants with many economically important species.
The Ericales are a large and diverse order of flowering plants within the asterid group of eudicots. The order includes over 8,000 species distributed across 22 families, according to the APG IV system of classification. Economically important members include tea, kiwifruit, persimmon, blueberry, cranberry, Brazil nut, shea, and many ornamental species such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and primroses.
The order encompasses a wide variety of growth forms, including trees, bushes, lianas, and herbaceous plants. While most are typical autophytic plants, the Ericales also contain chlorophyll-deficient mycoheterotrophic species, such as *Sarcodes sanguinea*, and carnivorous plants, like those in the genus *Sarracenia*. Mycorrhizal associations are common, and three unique types—ericoid, arbutoid, and monotropoid mycorrhiza—are found exclusively within this order. Additionally, several families are notable for their exceptional ability to accumulate aluminum. Many species within the order have five petals that are often fused together; this fusion of petals was traditionally used to place the order in the subclass Sympetalae.
The Ericales are a cosmopolitan order, with family distributions varying widely. Some families are restricted to tropical regions, while others are found mainly in Arctic or temperate areas. The Ericaceae family alone accounts for between 2,000 and 4,000 species, depending on the estimate. Molecular studies indicate that the lineage leading to the Ericales diverged from other plants approximately 127 million years ago, or diversified around 110 million years ago. The order’s economic importance is significant: tea (*Camellia sinensis*) is the most commercially used plant, while edible fruits include kiwifruit, persimmon, blueberry, huckleberry, cranberry, Brazil nut, and Mamey sapote. Shea (*Vitellaria paradoxa*) serves as a major dietary lipid source for millions in sub-Saharan Africa. Numerous species are also cultivated for their showy flowers, such as azalea, rhododendron, camellia, heather, primula, cyclamen, phlox, and busy Lizzie.
- number_of_families
- 22 (APG IV)
- number_of_species
- over 8,000
- largest_family
- Ericaceae (2,000–4,000 species)
- key_products
- tea, kiwifruit, persimmon, blueberry, cranberry, Brazil nut, shea
- mycorrhiza_types
- ericoid, arbutoid, monotropoid (exclusive to Ericales)
Lore & Background
The Ericales are a cosmopolitan order of flowering plants found across diverse climates, from tropical regions to Arctic and temperate zones. Their range includes over 8,000 species distributed among 22 families, with the Ericaceae family alone containing between 2,000 and 4,000 species. The order encompasses a wide variety of growth forms, including trees, bushes, lianas, and herbaceous plants. In addition to typical autophytic plants that photosynthesize, the Ericales include chlorophyll-deficient mycoheterotrophic species, such as *Sarcodes sanguinea*, and carnivorous plants, like those in the genus *Sarracenia*. Mycorrhizal associations are widespread, and three unique types—ericoid, arbutoid, and monotropoid mycorrhiza—are found exclusively within this order. Some families also exhibit a notable ability to accumulate aluminum. A defining floral characteristic is the presence of five petals that are often fused together; this fusion of petals was historically used to classify the order within the subclass Sympetalae. Molecular studies indicate that the lineage leading to Ericales diverged from other plants approximately 127 million years ago, with diversification occurring around 110 million years ago. The order includes many economically important species, such as tea (*Camellia sinensis*), various edible fruits like kiwifruit, persimmon, blueberry, cranberry, and Brazil nut, as well as shea, a major dietary lipid source in sub-Saharan Africa. Numerous species are also cultivated for their showy flowers, including azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, heather, primroses, cyclamens, phlox, and impatiens.
Reader's Guide
The Ericales are a cosmopolitan order, with families distributed from the tropics to Arctic or temperate regions. The most commercially used plant in the order is tea (Camellia sinensis) from the family Theaceae. Edible fruits include kiwifruit, persimmon, blueberry, huckleberry, cranberry, Brazil nut, and Mamey sapote. Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) is a major dietary lipid source for millions of sub-Saharan Africans. Many species are cultivated for showy flowers, such as azalea, Rhododendron, Camellia, heather, Primula, Cyclamen, Phlox, and busy Lizzie. The order's classification has been revised; under the Cronquist system, Ericales included a smaller group of plants placed among the Dilleniidae.
Did You Know?
- The Ericales include chlorophyll-deficient mycoheterotrophic plants such as Sarcodes sanguinea.
- Three kinds of mycorrhiza (ericoid, arbutoid, monotropoid) are found exclusively among Ericales.
- The order contains over 8,000 species, with the Ericaceae family accounting for 2,000–4,000 species.
- Some Ericales families are notable for their exceptional ability to accumulate aluminum.
More in Plant Families & Taxonomy 1-24
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