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Ericaceous Compost
Ericaceous may refer to: * Ericaceae, the heather family * Calcifuges, all plants which dislike alkaline (chalky) soil – including heathers, rhododendron and camellia * Ericaceous bed, a bed with acidic soil typically having a pH between 4.5 and 6 used for growing Calcifuges {{disambiguation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ericaceae
The Ericaceae are a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the heath or heather family, found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions. The family is large, with c.4250 known species spread across 124 genera, making it the 14th most species-rich family of flowering plants. The many well known and economically important members of the Ericaceae include the cranberry, blueberry, huckleberry, rhododendron (including azaleas), and various common heaths and heathers ('' Erica'', '' Cassiope'', '' Daboecia'', and ''Calluna'' for example). Description The Ericaceae contain a morphologically diverse range of taxa, including herbs, dwarf shrubs, shrubs, and trees. Their leaves are usually evergreen, alternate or whorled, simple and without stipules. Their flowers are hermaphrodite and show considerable variability. The petals are often fused ( sympetalous) with shapes ranging from narrowly tubular to funnelform or widely urn-shaped. The corollas are usually rad ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Calcifuges
A calcifuge is a plant that does not tolerate alkaline (basic) soil. The word is derived from the Latin 'to flee from chalk'. These plants are also described as ericaceous, as the prototypical calcifuge is the genus ''Erica'' (heaths). It is not the presence of carbonate or hydroxide ions ''per se'' that these plants cannot tolerate, but the fact that under alkaline conditions, iron becomes less soluble. Consequently, calcifuges grown on alkaline soils often develop the symptoms of iron deficiency, ''i.e.'' interveinal chlorosis of new growth. There are many horticultural plants which are calcifuges, most of which require an 'ericaceous' compost with a low pH, composed principally of ''Sphagnum'' moss peat. A plant that thrives in lime-rich soils is known as a calcicole. Examples Order Ericales Ericaceae *'' Andromeda polifolia'' *''Calluna'' (common heather) *'' Cassiope lycopodioides'' *''Daboecia'' *'' Enkianthus campanulatus'' *''Erica'' (but not '' E. carnea'' or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |