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family Ericaceae

family Ericaceae

7.7
A large group of flowering plants like heathers, rhododendrons and blueberries
  • noun
  • /ˈfɛmɪli ˌɛrɪˈkeɪsi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia Ericaceae
  • Blueberries and rhododendrons both belong to the family Ericaceae.

Examples

  • Many species in the family Ericaceae thrive in acidic soil.

  • Botanists are researching the evolution of species within the family Ericaceae.

  • There are over 100 genera included in the family Ericaceae.

  • The family Ericaceae includes many beautiful plants.

  • Blueberries and rhododendrons both belong to the family Ericaceae.

  • Botanists are researching the evolution of species within the family Ericaceae.

  • Many species in the family Ericaceae thrive in acidic soil.

Synonyms

Ericaceae
vsfamily Ericaceae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of flowering shrubs like blueberries and rhododendrons that often grow in acid soil

is the same family but uses a single common name rather than two
heath family
vsfamily Ericaceae
  • Specialized
7.3

A group of flowering plants like blueberries or rhododendrons that grow in acidic soil

is the general family description without mentioning habitat preference

Surface Forms

Morphology

family + Ericaceae

This is a straightforward taxonomic label: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the proper name 'Ericaceae' (a plant-family name). A B1 learner who knows both constituents can directly infer it refers to the plant family called Ericaceae (heathers, rhododendrons, blueberries); such scientific naming is compositional and cross-linguistically recognizable.

Etymology

Family Ericaceae is named after the heather plant. Think of a 'family' where the members are similar, and in plants this means a group of related flowering plants, so family Ericaceae refers to the 'heather family' that includes heathers, rhododendrons and blueberries.