HEATH FAMILY 489 
Sympetalae 
Among the fifty or more families of the Sympetalae, there are 
some families of considerable economic importance. As previ- 
ously stated, the Sympetalae are characterized by a gamopet- 
alous corolla. Also the ova- 
ries are commonly inferior. 
Their flowers are commonly 
showy and insect pollinated. 
Heath Family (Hricaceae). 
— The plants of the Heath 
family are mostly shrubs, 
and they are distributed 
from the polar regions to the 
Fig. 489.— Alfalfa 
Dodder twining about an 
Alfalfa plant and drawing 
nourishment from it by 
means of parasitic roots 
(x3). Below, at the 
Bindweeds (Convolvulvus right, also a fruit, called 
sepium), showing the corolla capsule, of the Dodder is 
composed of united petals. shown much enlarged. 
tropical forests. The flowers are usually regular, and both calyx 
and corolla are 4-5 lobed. The stamens are as many or twice 
as many as the lobes of the calyx or corolla, and the flowers are 
hypogynous or perigynous. 
Some, as the Cranberries, Blueberries, and Huckleberries, pro- 
duce berries that are valuable fruits. The Heath family also 
includes some highly prized ornamental shrubs, such as the Rho- 
