Ratany family

(Krameriaceae)

This family includes shrubs and perennial herbs that are 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.

Behind the Name :

Krameriaceae is a family of a single genus and about 25 species ranging from the southern United States to Chile.

There are four species of Krameria in Texas:

1. Krameria lanceolata - decumbent stems; totally herbaceous above ground
2. Krameria erecta - pedicels densely glandular
3. Krameria grayi - distinctly larger leaves, petals and prickles on the fruit than #4; at least some of the leaves are 10 mm or longer
4. Krameria ramosissima

In the past, Krameriaceae has been included as part of the Pea family (Fabaceae). It has since been found sufficiently distinct to earn its independence from Fabaceae.

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.)

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


• Krameria erecta C. von Willdenow ex. J. A. Schultes
  Syn = Krameria glandulosa J. Rose & J. Painter
  Syn = Krameria imparta (J. Macbride) N. Britton
  Syn = Krameria interior J. Rose & J. Painter
  Syn = Krameria navae J. Rzedowski
  Syn = Krameria palmeri J. Rose
  Syn = Krameria parviflora G. Bentham
  Syn = Krameria parviflora var. glandulosa (J. Rose & J. Painter) J. Macbride
  Syn = Krameria parviflora var. imparata J. Macbride
  Syn = Krameria pauciflora G. Bentham
  Syn = Krameria rosmarinifolia J. Pavon


• Krameria grayi J. Rose & J. Painter
  Syn = Krameria bicolor S. Watson
  Syn = Krameria canescens A. Gray


• Krameria ramosissima (A. Gray) S. Watson
  Syn = Krameria parvifolia G. Bentham var. ramosissima A. Gray