Ericaceae Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ericaceae

Erica carnea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae Juss.
Genera
See text.

The Ericaceae is a large family of flowering plants. You might know them better as the heath family. These plants grow all over the world, in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Many plants in this family are shrubs, which are like bushy plants. But you can also find trees and smaller herbs in the Ericaceae family. There are about 120 different groups of plants, called genera, and around 4,000 different species in this family.

What Makes Ericaceae Special?
Famous Ericaceae Plants
Images for kids
See also

What Makes Ericaceae Special?

Flower diagram of Vaccinium, a well-known plant in the Ericaceae family.

Most Ericaceae plants are evergreen, meaning their leaves stay green all year. Their small flowers often look like tiny bells or tubes. These flowers come in many pretty colors like white, pink, red, and violet. Sometimes, you might even see yellow ones! Because they are so pretty, many Ericaceae plants are popular for gardens.

Some plants in this family grow fruits that people can eat. For example, blueberries and cranberries are part of the Ericaceae family. However, it's important to know that some plants in this family can be poisonous. All parts of these specific plants might contain substances that are not safe to eat. So, always be careful and never eat wild plants unless an adult tells you they are safe.

A plant group called Epacris used to be in its own family, Epacridaceae. But now, scientists have moved Epacris into the Ericaceae family.

Famous Ericaceae Plants

This family includes many well-known plants. Here are some you might recognize:

Calluna vulgaris (Heather): This plant is famous for covering large areas with its tiny purple or pink flowers.
Dracophyllum (Grass tree): These are shrubs or trees with long, grass-like leaves. They are mostly found in Australia and Oceania.
Epacris longiflora: A beautiful plant with long, tube-shaped flowers.
Erica (Heath): Like heather, these plants are known for their small, bell-shaped flowers and often grow in sandy, open areas.
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel): This plant has unique, cup-shaped flowers that grow in clusters.
Rhododendron: This is a huge group with over 1,000 species. Many have large, beautiful flowers. What gardeners call azaleas are actually a type of rhododendron!
Vaccinium: This group includes many tasty fruits like blueberries, cranberries, and huckleberries. There are about 450 different species of these shrubs.
Zenobia pulverulenta (Honeycup): A small shrub found in south-eastern USA bogs, known for its pretty, bell-shaped flowers.