Texas Ratany

Krameria lanceolata J. Torrey

Krameriaceae

Beautiful orchid-like flowers adorn this trailing perennial herb. The specimens we have seen were nearly hidden in the grasses they were entertwined throughout, so you may have to look hard for this one. It is well worth the hunt though - the beauty is the reward.

Krameria's flower is quite unique. What looks like five reddish petals are actually the sepals of this flower. Three of the five actual petals are joined together and rise above the center of the flower. The other two glandlike petals are one on each side of the center.

This plant is reported to be hemiparasitic, forming haustoria (the root of a parasitic plant that penetrates the host plant's tissue drawing nutrients from it) on the roots of various of host plants.

Krameria lanceolata has more tannin than the official drug (Krameria triandra) from the British Pharmacopaeia.

• Part used - dried root
  
• Constituent - A tannic acid called Rhatania tannic acid or Krameria tannic acid
  
• Actions - astringent and mild tonic
  
• Uses - Internally for diarrhea, dysentery; Externally (an infusion) gargled for sore throat, wash for hemmorhoids or for the mucous membrane of the eyes, nose, gums, etc.

One can extract all the astringency of Ratany using only cold water.

A strong tincture of Peruvian Ratany (Krameria triandra) roots in brandy is used in Portugal to impart a roughness to port wines.

[Grieve, Maude.... info... info...]

Behind the Name :

Common names include: three fans, trailing ratany, crameria, prairie bur and sandbur - the last two reference the hard one-seeded spiny fruit.

Scientific synonyms: Dimenops lanceolata, Krameria beyrichii, Krameria secundiflora, and Krameria spathulata.

Definitions:

Rhatany -

Describes the sprawling habit of this plant in the language used by Peruvian Indians

Krameria -

Named for Johann Georg Kramer (1684-1744), 18th century Hungarian (or Austrian?) botanist and military physician

lanceolata -

Lance-shaped; referring to the leaves

Full Names:

In order to be botanically accurate, I will list the full scientific names including the botanists' names. (Dave says it is overkill, but Oh well.)

• Dimenops lanceolata (J. Torrey) C. Rafinesque-Schmaltz
• Krameria beyrichii F. Sporleder ex. O. Berg
• Krameria secundiflora
• Krameria spathulata J. K. Small

Common names for Krameria triandra: Rhatanhia, Ratanhiawurzel, Krameria root, Peruvian Rhatany, Mapato, Pumacuchu, Raiz para los dientes, Red Rhatany

Tags :

native Texas wildflower, Texas native wildflower, Texas native plant, perennial, woody herb, alternate leaves, medicinal plant, Spring flowers, Summer flowers, Fall flowers, red flowers, purple flowers, pink flowers, garden worthy, propagate by seed, meadows, prairies, roadsides, plains, woodland openings, savanahs, grasslands, Texan Ratany, Texas Rhatany, Texan Rhatany, Texas Krameria, Texan Krameria