Diversity of Ericaceae

[Maggi Young]

It's fun to see what  wacky plants are included in the ericaceae - quite a diverse family- not just heathers and rhododendrons, for sure!

 A member of the Hampshire AGS, Harvey K.,   posted a super photo  on their group's facebook page of this  beauty



Photographed near the melting snow line in California - c1973 by Harvey Kagakusha

Sarcodes sanguinea. which Harvey described as " A very odd plant, saprophytic not parasitic, and surprisingly it's in Ericaceae, monotypic genus.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcodes
Sarcodes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org

Which leads us to ....
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycoheterotrophy   

[Lewis Potter]

Moneses uniflora is a mixotrophic plant. It can photosynthesize and get nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi. it is also in the Ericaceae family.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Moneses_uniflora_1437.JPG

[Gabriela]

Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipe) is another odd Ericaceae, also mycoheterotrophyc 

[Hoy]

Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipe) is another odd Ericaceae, also mycoheterotrophyc 

Gabriela,

Have you ever tried it from seed?

[Gabriela]

Gabriela,
Have you ever tried it from seed?

I haven't because there was a Fagus missing from our garden; not anymore! I planted a young one in the fall and there will be more. Mix some mushrooms spores around (specific genera) and maybe it will work.
It's not too common though even these conditions are found in many woods but I'll give it a try. At least it is more certain what it needs comparing with Chimaphila 
There is also a pink form that I still have to found.

[ian mcdonald]

 Is Monotropa a member of the Monotropacea family? While we are on the subject here is M. hypopitys. img. 0062.

[ian mcdonald]

Two more members of Erica are Bog Rosemary, Andromeda polifolia img. 3513 and Kalmia angustifolia img. 09 367.

[ian mcdonald]

I think Moneses is in the Pyrolacea- Wintergreen family. Here is M. uniflora img. 1872.

[ian mcdonald]

I,ll post some more wintergreens on the wildflower site.

[Ulla Hansson]

When I was a kid we picked small bouquets of Moneses uniflora. It is many years ago. I have been looking for the last ten years, but I have not found a single.
Many of the species that were in the pasture, when I was a child, is gone.
They live only in memory.

[Maggi Young]

Is Monotropa a member of the Monotropacea family? While we are on the subject here is M. hypopitys. img. 0062.

 Kew says " species in the genus Monotropa (family Ericaceae) "

[ian mcdonald]

Maggi, a bit strange? Ericas are woody shrubs. According to Stace and CTW Monotropa are members of their own family. Taxonominists strike again.

[Maggi Young]

I understand very little about how the taxonomists reach their classifications, Ian. 

[ian mcdonald]

You are right Maggi, another re-shuffle by the desk bound.

[ian mcdonald]

Perhaps we mere field naturalists should call all plants Magnoliopsida?