Ericaceae

Azalea Family

By: George Rogers

A family of about 70 mostly shrubby genera and perhaps 1500 species well represented in temperate regions. The most famous cultivated Ericaceae are probably Azaleas, which are not important in South Florida cultivation. Also in the Ericaceae are Blueberries, Pieris, Heathers (“Mexican Heather” is a member of the Lythraceae), Huckleberries, and other plants not well represented locally. Ericaceae are abundant in our area as native plants, including Shining Blueberries (Vaccinium myrsinites), Staggerbush (Lyonia fruticosa), Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), Tarflower (Bejaria racemosa), and Deerberries (Vaccinium stamineum). The two local Lyonia species, Shining Blueberry, Tarflower, and Deerberry are available commercially.

Key to Ericaceae Cultivated in South Florida

1. Flowers with 7 long strap-shaped petals, star-shaped, over 1” diam., sticky basally (in summer); young stems conspicuously hispid with long bristly hairs…Tarflower (Bejaria racemosa)

1. Flowers < ½” diam., bowl or urn-shaped without long distinct petals, not sticky; young stems glabrous or pubescent but not hispid…2

2. Flowers bowl-shaped; stamens yellow and protruding…Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum)

2. Flowers urn-shaped (widest below the opening); stamens not conspicuous and protruding…3

3. Leaves < ¾” long; plants to 2’-3’ tall; leaves with tiny reddish glands on the undersides…Shining Blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites)

3. Leaves usually > 1” long; plants often > 4’ tall; leaves without reddish glands…4

4. Flowers white; young growth rusty-pubescent…Staggerbush (Lyonia fruticosa)

4. Flowers pinkish; young growth not rusty…Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)