The Ericaceae includes 9 subfamilies, 151 genera, and over 4,000 species. They are distributed nearly worldwide, with greatest diversity in the Himalayas, southern Africa, and the Mediterranean; absent from much of the lowland tropics, northern and central Australia, and the extreme polar regions. Most species grow well in acidic, infertile soils, including wetlands. The majority are shrubs, but also herbs, subshrubs, trees, or, rarely, vines; perennial, deciduous or evergreen. Stems erect or prostrate. The leaves are simple, with entire or toothed margins; alternate, opposite or, whorled. The inflorescences are terminal or axillary (racemes, umbels, corymbs, panicles, spikes, or solitary flowers). The flowers are radially or bilaterally symmetrical; the petals (usually 4-5) are often fused. The fruits are drupes, berries, capsules, or pods.

		Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
		Velvet-leaved Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides)
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