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Ericaceae (the heather family)

The larger Ericaceae collections are of Rhododendron and Erica, concentrated in the Arboretum

Erica cinerea and Calluna vulgaris
Photo:
Michael Pirie, UiB

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The Ericaceae is one the larger flowering plant families, with over 4,000 species often found in acidic and nutrient poor habitats. Much of the species diversity is accounted for by just two large genera: Rhododendron and Erica, but the family also includes the blueberries (genus Vaccinium) and the common heather (Calluna vulgaris).