ericaceous
/ˌɛrɪˈkeɪʃəs
/adjective Botany
1Relating to or denoting plants of the heather family (Ericaceae).Ledum groenlandicum, Labrador tea, is an ericaceous evergreen shrub of acidic, wet areas common to northern regions of North America....
- The forest ground vegetation is mostly dominated by ericaceous dwarf shrubs.
- O'Connell and Johnston, for example, found that microhabitat characteristics (e.g. presence of ericaceous shrubs or open canopy) had a larger effect on pollination success in the orchid Cypripedium acaule than floral traits.
1.1(Of compost) suitable for heathers and other lime-hating plants.In early spring, apply a top dressing of ericaceous compost to give the plant a boost....
- They arrived very well packed and I've potted them up into large tubs of ericaceous compost since they won't like our local soil.
- Two years ago it was with great difficulty removed from its pot, its roots cut back and fresh ericaceous compost added.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from modern Latin Ericaceae (plural), from the genus name Erica (see erica).