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. 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.