A large and diverse order of dicotyledonous flowering plants in the subclass DILLENIIDAE. Most members have weakly fused petals and radially symmetric flowers which form fruit capsules and thin seed coats. Members also contain IRIDOIDS, compounds which protect against herbivores. Common examples of the ericales are economically important species such as TEA, PERSIMMON, BLUEBERRY, BRAZIL NUTS, azalea, CRANBERRIES, and RHODODENDRON.

Synonyms: Ericales, txid41945, Theale, Theales, Ericale