KRAMERIACEAE

RHATANY FAMILY

Beryl B. Simpson

Perennial, shrub, green root-parasite
Stem prostrate to erect, much-branched
Leaves generally simple, alternate, sessile; blade linear to ovate, hairy, sometimes glandular, tip abruptly pointed
Inflorescence: flowers generally solitary in axils; pedicel bracts 2
Flower bisexual, bilateral; sepals 4–5, free, conspicuous; petals generally 5, 3 upper linear to clawed, held in ± upright "flag", 2 modified into glands flanking ovary; stamens generally 4, opening by pores; ovary superior, hairy, style slender, recurved
Fruit nut-like, bearing smooth or barbed spines
Genera in family: 1 genus, 17 species: Am, especially tropical
Reference: [Simpson 1989 Fl Neotropica 49:1–109]
Pollinating bees collect oils secreted by glandular petals.

KRAMERIA

RHATANY

Etymology: (Possibly named for J. Kramer, 1700's, Austrian army physician)

Native

K. erecta Schult.

PIMA RHATANY, PURPLE HEATHER

Shrub, ± strigose to canescent or ± silky-hairy
Stem < 1 m; branches often ascending, tips blunt
Leaf ± linear
Flower: buds ovate, barely curved; sepals cupped, pink; flag petal claws ± fused, blades triangular, green and pink; glandular petals pink, outer face glandular-blistered near margin
Fruit cordate, somewhat flat; spines smooth or barbs scattered
Ecology: Dry, rocky ridges, slopes
Elevation: < 1200 m.
Bioregional distribution: eastern Peninsular Ranges (Santa Rosa Mtns), Desert
Distribution outside California: to Nevada, Texas, n Mexico
Flowering time: Mar–May
Synonyms: K. glandulosa Rose & Painter; K. parvifolia Benth.; K. p. var. imparata J.F. Macbr
Horticultural information: TRY.