Formerly there was recognized a distinct shinleaf family, which included a small group of species now placed within Ericaceae. Members of this group, pipsissewas and shinleafs, are as much dependable upon mycorrhizae as any Ericaceae, and even more so. Members of another formerly recognized small, closely related family Monotropaceae, have lost all of their chlorophyll and developed complete dependence upon symbiotic fungi. Pipsissewas are included with shinleafs and thus positioned half way down the evolutionary road leading to the ultimate condition of complete loss of chlorophyll. Photo credit Luba Batuner