Ericaceae subfam. Arbutoideae
Niedenzu, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 11: 135. 1889.
Shrubs or trees, multicellular hairs present or, sometimes, absent (Comarostaphylis); bark smooth, not furrowed, often flaky, sometimes shredding. Stems erect or prostrate. Leaves persistent (deciduous in Arctous), usually alternate, sometimes opposite or whorled (Ornithostaphylos), rarely opposite (Xylococcus); petiole usually present, sometimes absent (Arctostaphylos); blade plane, abaxial groove absent. Inflorescences terminal, panicles or racemes; perulae absent; bracts much shorter than sepals; bracteoles 2 or absent (Arctostaphylos, Arctous). Flowers pendulous; sepals (4-) 5; petals (4-) 5, connate, corolla deciduous, usually urceolate, sometimes cylindric, conic, or globose, lobes much shorter than tube; intrastaminal nectary disc present; stamens (8-) 10; anthers dehiscent by slits or pores; ovary 2-10-locular; placentation axile; style straight. Fruits drupaceous (baccate in Arbutus), (pulp mealy or juicy), indehiscent; pyrenes 1-5, often connate into stonelike endocarp. Seeds 1-10, usually distinct, sometimes connate, globose (sometimes 3-sided), not winged.
Distribution
North America, Mexico, Central America, Europe, n Africa, n Atlantic Islands (Canary Islands), most species endemic to western North America
Discussion
Genera 6, species 91 or 92 (6 genera, 70 species in the flora).
Selected References
None.