SafePlants

Krameria bicolor and Krameria grayi: White Rhatany and Relatives

This page provides information about Krameria bicolor and Krameria grayi, perennial shrubs or subshrubs belonging to the Krameriaceae family, also known as the Rhatanies.

Common Names

• White rhatany
• White ratany
• Crimson-beak
• Chacate
• Cosahui
• Gray's Krameria

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Krameria bicolor S. Watson and Krameria grayi Rose & Painter
• Family: Krameriaceae (Ratany Family)
• Symbol: KRGR (for Krameria grayi)
• Synonyms: The text indicates "NO-ENTRY" for synonyms, but also mentions Krameria grayi as closely related and sometimes used interchangeably.
• Taxonomic Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

White ratany is found in the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Specifically, it occurs in Arizona (AZ), California (CA), New Mexico (NM), Nevada (NV), and Texas (TX). It inhabits plains and slopes in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Perennial shrub or subshrub
• Grows to about 3 feet high
• Leaves are hairy, narrowly lanceolate, and drought-deciduous
• Flowers are pink/magenta with 5 tiny petals. Krameria bicolor flowers have five large sepals, three very small and narrow flag petals. One of the two, darker, purple-colored gland-petals can be seen.
• Branched stems
• Fruits are cordate to circular in outline, 5.5-10 mm wide excluding spines, canescent, sericeous, or strigose with white or brown trichomes

Ecological Role

• Hemiparasite: It is a hemiparasite, meaning it obtains some of its nutrients from other plants. In one example, it decreases the dominance of the creosote bush in the Sonoran Desert.
• Forage: It is an important forage plant for livestock, particularly mule deer.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It is a browse species for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
• It can act as a hemiparasite on species such as the creosote bush.
• Ratany is among the small number of plants with flowers that produce oil instead of nectar as a food for pollinators.

Considerations for Pets:

• Mentioned as a forage plant for livestock, suggesting it is palatable.
• Fruits have spines.

Considerations for Children:

• Fruits have spines.

Quirky Facts

• White ratany roots were historically used in hot-water extracts for tanning leather.
• Native Americans traditionally used infusions of the roots to treat skin irritations and diabetes.
• Ratany is among the small number of plants with flowers that produce oil instead of nectar as a food for pollinators.
• One person's first discovery of the plant was the "heavenly scent."

Further Information

• Discover Life: Discover Life's page about Krameria grayi
• USDA Forest Service FEIS database: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/kr