(Sub)Shrubs, trees, lianas, sometimes epiphytic (Cavendishia in Costa Rica); often associated with mycorrhizal fungi; often on sour soils;
Distribution
almost worldwide; in Australia predominantly missing; in tropical areas often montaneous;
Floral characters
Flowers usually bisexual; radial to slightly bilateral; sepals usually 4 or 5, distinct to slightly connate; petals usually 4 or 5 and connate, often cylindrical to urn-shaped; stamens usually 8-10, filaments free or adnate to corolla, sometimes connate, sometimes with paired projections (spurs); carpels 2-10, connate, ovary superior or inferior;
Leaf characters
leaves alternate, sometimes opposite or whorled; simple;
Stipules
absent
Fruit characters
fruit a septicidal or loculicidal capsule, berry, 1 or several-pitted drupe; usually erectly held due to movement of pedicel; seed coat thin;
Hairs
if present: simple, evtl. dendritic, glandheaded or peltate scales, not stellate
Latex
absent
Uses
esp. used as ornamental plants; somes species of vaccinium have edible fruits (economically important in some regions); Gaultheria procumbens is the original source of oil wintergreen (methyl salicylate); some species are used as timber plants especial in Himalaya
