Ericaceae

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ericaceae

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Ericaceae
2. What is the estimated species count?Over 4,000 species in approximately 120-130 genera
3. What are some plants in the Ericaceae family?Blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries, azaleas, and heaths are all part of the Ericaceae family.
4. Why do Ericaceae plants grow well in acidic soils?They have special fungi partners that help them find nutrients in low‑nutrient, acidic soils.

Oligotrophic soils: Soils characterized by very low nutrient content, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus.
Ericoid mycorrhizae: A specialized type of symbiotic association between fungi and the roots of Ericaceae plants.
Adaptive plasticity: The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to changes in the environment.
Frugivorous: An animal that feeds on fruit.