Botany: shrubs, trees; evergreen; leaves alternate, non-ericoid, entire or serrate, convolute in bud; inflorescences terminal, racemose or paniculate; bracts present, bracteoles paired, ± basal; calyx not articulated with pedicel; inside of corolla with unicellular hairs; filaments conspicuously asymmetrically dilated; fruit indehiscent, fleshy, brightly colored, with a bony or fibrous endocarp.
Content: high levels of ellagic acid.
TaxonomyIn the
Apg3 classification Arbutoideae is a subfamily in the
Ericaceae.
In the
Plant theory Vaccinioideae is placed in
Subphase 4 in
Ericales.