Ericales

Ericales is an order of flowering plants in the asterids, part of the core eudicots. The order is diverse, including shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants, and it has a cosmopolitan distribution with particularly strong representation in temperate regions and on acidic, nutrient-poor soils. It encompasses several families, among them Ericaceae (the heath family), Theaceae (the tea family), Actinidiaceae (kiwifruit), and Sapotaceae (sapodilla), as well as a number of smaller groups.

A common ecological feature in many Ericales is the presence of specialized mycorrhizal associations. In particular, ericoid mycorrhizae are widespread in the Ericaceae and facilitate nutrient uptake in poor soils. Morphological diversity is high, with many species adapted to woodland understories, alpine zones, or tropical habitats. Flowers range from generalist to specialized, and fruit types include berries, capsules, and drupes.

Economically important members include Camellia sinensis from Theaceae, cultivated for tea; Actinidia deliciosa from Actinidiaceae, the kiwifruit; and various Vaccinium species (blueberries and cranberries) in Ericaceae. The Theaceae also includes ornamental and timber species, while Sapotaceae contains economically useful fruits in some genera. The order also includes ecologically significant ornamentals such as rhododendrons and azaleas, and valuable woods from Ebenaceae.

Classification follows modern systems such as the APG framework, which places Ericales within the asterid clade of the core eudicots. Relationships among families are continually refined through molecular phylogenetics, leading to revisions in circumscription and composition.