Family Ericaceae and related families (Unit 016)

1. Mycorrhizal Fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi are fungi associated with plant root systems in a symbiotic

or beneficial relationship. The fungi mycelia can obtain nutrients that are useful to the

plants. The fungi also are tied to the roots of forest trees.

The family Monotropaceae is closely related to the Ericaceae, and has no chlorophyll.

It is dependent on the mycorrhizal fungi for all of its nutrients. Leaves are reduced and

scale like. These plants are often fleshy, and colored white (see Monotropa uniflora for

pictures), pink, red, purple, yellow, or brown, but not green since they lack chlorophyll.

The family Ericaceae has many genera and species that grow best with some mycorrhizal fungi.

This is also true with the family Pinaceae (Unit 11), where mycorrhizal fungi

innoculation is important for good seedling growth.

2. Broadleaved plants

Since many of the Ericaceae are evergreen, winter protection is important since leaves

can lose water and turn brown in the Michigan winters.

3. Acid soil important

Most Ericaceae grow best in acidic soils.