Dryadoideae

Dryadoideae is a subfamily within the Ericaceae, the heath family. It is one of the traditional subdivisions of Ericaceae, but its circumscription has varied as molecular phylogenetic studies have clarified relationships among the group.

Members of Dryadoideae are diverse in habit, including herbaceous perennials and small shrubs native to temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They typically occur in acidic, organic-rich soils in habitats such as forests, heathlands, tundra, and alpine zones. Like many ericaceous plants, taxa in this subfamily form relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, which aid nutrient uptake in nutrient-poor soils. Flowers are generally small and inconspicuous, often bell- or urn-shaped, and are adapted to insect pollination. Fruits are usually dry capsules or berries depending on genus.

Distribution and ecology: Dryadoideae species are most diverse in temperate and boreal regions of North America and Eurasia, with some representatives in montane regions of other continents. They occupy a range of habitats from woodland understorey to open heath and tundra.

Systematics: The exact composition of Dryadoideae has changed with advances in molecular phylogenetics. Some genera have been reassigned to other subfamilies within Ericaceae in newer classifications, while others remain included in the subfamily across different taxonomic systems.