Ericaceae (the heath, or heather family) are a large group of herbs, woody shrubs and trees, widespread across most areas of the US apart from Texas and the Great Plains. Flowers may be single, or more often in clusters, and they have a wide range of forms. Symmetry can be radial or bilateral, and flowers usually have 4 or 5 sepals, the same number of petals and twice the number of stamens. Petals are usually completely or partly fused. Leaves are generally undivided and hairless, often with a leathery texture. 51 genera and over 250 species are found in the US. Favored environments are temperate regions with acidic soil.