Epacris and Relatives (Ericaceae)
Introduction
Epacris is a genus of Australian plants belong to the world-wide heath family, the Ericaceae, which takes its name from the cosmopolitan genus, Erica
There are over 120 genera in the Ericaceae with over 40 being found in Australia some of which, including some species of Erica, which have become naturalised
Native Australian genera include the Australian heaths – Epacris, Conostephium, Dracophyllum, Leucopogon, Sprengelia, Styphelia, Woolsia and a number of others
These were previously classified as being in the now obsolete family Epacridaceae but have now been re-classified as sub-family Epacridoideae of the Ericaceae
The pink form of Epacris impressa (the common heath) is Victoria’s floral emblem
Other Australia members of the Ericaceae include:
Australia’s only native Rhododendron, Rhododendron lochiae, (sub-family Ericoideae)
Waxberry, Gaultheria appressa (sub-family Vaccinioideae).
Family Matters
It has been recognised for many years that the group of plants commonly referred to as the ‘Australian heaths’ are closely related to plants in the cosmopolitan heath family, the Ericaceae, which had been regarded as being poorly represented in Australia, with only a handful of species occurring here
The Ericaceae is widely distributed in the northern Hemisphere and Africa and includes such well known garden plants as Erica, Rhododendron, Azalea and Pieris
Several Erica species (notably Erica lusitanica) have become naturalised in Australia, having escaped from garden cultivation
Until recently the Australian heaths had been regarded as being sufficiently distinct from members of the Ericaceae to warrant being placed in a separate family, the Epacridaceae, which takes its name from the well known genus Epacris
However, recent research has indicated that these plants are more closely related to the Ericaceae than previously thought
As a result, most botanical institutions now recognise that members of the Epacridaceae are more correctly placed within the Ericaceae as the subfamily Epacridoideae (previously subfamily Styphelioideae – see footnote)
While most Australian members of the Ericaceae belong to the subfamily Epacridoideae, there are a few species in two other subfamilies
Genera
Australian members of the Ericaceae can be summarised as follows:
Subfamily Ericoideae: One genus – Rhododendron (2 species: R lochiae and R viriosum) .... Only native at ANBG is R lochiaes
Subfamily Vaccinioideae: Three genera – Gaultheria, Paphia, Pernettya .... Only 2 x Gaultheria & 1 x Pahia at ANBG
Subfamily Epacridoideae (Australian heaths): Around 40 genera, including:
Acrothamnus .... 1 species at ANBG
Acrotriche .... 5 species at ANBG
Agiortia
Archeria
Astroloma .... 1 species at ANBG
Brachyloma .... 1 species at ANBG
Budawangia
Conostephium
Croninia
Cyathodes .... 3 species at ANBG
Cyathopsis
Dracophyllum ... 5 species at ANBG
Epacris ... at ANBG
Leptecophylla ... 3 species at ANBG
Leucopogon ... 12 species at ANBG
Lissanthe ... 1 species at ANBG
Melichrus ... 3 species at ANBG
Monotoca ... 3 species at ANBG
Needhamiella
Oligarrhena
Pentachondra ... 2 species at ANBG
Planocarpa
Prionotes
Richea ... 5 species at ANBG
Rupicola ... 1 species at ANBG
Sprengelia
Stenanthera ... 1 species at ANBG
Styphelia
Trochocarpa ... 6 species at ANBG
Woollsia
Distribution
The family Ericaceae is widely distributed worldwide, particularly in the northern hemisphere
However, the subfamily Epacridoideae is distributed mainly in Australia with a few species being found in:
Countries to the north of Australia
New Zealand
The Pacific islands
South America
Characteristics
A distinguishing feature of the subfamily Epacridoideae compared to other members of the Ericaceae is the palmate venation of the leaves of most members of the former
“Palmate venation” refers to the way that several main veins radiate from the base of the leaf
Because of the small leaves in many species in the subfamily Epacridoideae, the veins often appear to be parallel
For the most part, the Australian Ericaceae are small shrubs but a few species occur as small trees
Habitat
They can be found in a range of habitats and are a common component of low, exposed vegetation known as heathland
Often they will be found in areas of constant moisture but also occur in temperate open forest and woodland, sub-alpine areas and the coastal zone
They tend to be absent in the arid zone and only a few are found in rainforests
Cultivation
A number of species of Australian Ericaceae are attractive plants for cultivation due to their prolific and colourful flowers
The genus Epacris is the most commonly cultivated member of the family and one member of the genus, Epacris impressa (common or pink heath) is the floral emblem of Victoria
Apart from Epacris, other members of the subfamily Epacridoideae are not often seen in general cultivation but genera grown by enthusiasts include Astroloma, Dracophyllum, Leucopogon, Prionotes, Richea, Sprengelia, Styphelia and Woollsia
Members of the other Australian subfamilies are uncommon in cultivation apart from the spectacular Rhododendron lochiae and occasionally Paphia meiniana, an attractive semi-climbing species with waxy tubular flowers; both of these species are native to rainforest in north Queensland
Several Australian members of the family were introduced into cultivation in Europe within a few years of British exploration of the east coast of Australia in the late 1700s – early 1800s
Species grown in Europe included species of Astroloma, Brachyloma, Epacris, Leucopogon, Lissanthe, Melichrus, Monotoca, Styphelia and Woollsia
⦿ Footnote
Species in the subfamily Epacridoideae were initially placed within the subfamily Styphelioideae. However, a 2012 change in the botanical rules of nomenclature made this classification invalid and the subfamily name was changed to Epacridoideae
A short discussion on this change can be found in the article Typification of some names in Epacridoideae (Ericaceae) by Darren M. Crayn, Kathleen A. Kron and Benjamin C. M. Potter (Telopea, Volume 17: 319-321, November 2014)
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Source: https://anpsa.org.au/genera/epacris-and-relatives/#:~:text=There%20are%20over%20120%20genera,and%20a%20number%20of%20others
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