''Krameria'' is the only genus in the Krameriaceae family, of which any of the approximately 18 species are commonly known as rhatany, ratany or rattany. Rhatany is also the name given to krameria root, a botanical remedy consisting of the dried root of para rhatany (''

Krameria argentea ''Krameria'' is the only genus in the Krameriaceae family, of which any of the approximately 18 species are commonly known as rhatany, ratany or rattany. Rhatany is also the name given to krameria root, a botanical remedy consisting of the dried ...

'') or Peruvian rhatany (''

Krameria lappacea ''Krameria lappacea'', the para rhatany and Peruvian rhatany, is a plant species in the genus ''Krameria'', in Peru. It is a slow-growing shrub that grows in semi-arid areas of the Andean region. The Latin specific epithet In taxonomy, bin ...

''). The biological action of rhatany is caused by the

astringent An astringent (sometimes called adstringent) is a chemical that shrinks or constricts body tissues. The word derives from the Latin ''adstringere'', which means "to bind fast". Calamine lotion, witch hazel, and yerba mansa, a Californian pla ...

rhataniatannic acid, which is similar to

tannic acid Tannic acid is a specific form of tannin, a type of polyphenol. Its weak acidity ( pKa around 6) is due to the numerous phenol groups in the structure. The chemical formula for commercial tannic acid is often given as C76H52O46, which corresp ...

. Infusions have been used as a gargle, a lozenge, especially when mixed with

cocaine Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South Am ...

, as a local hemostatic and remedy for

diarrhea Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin w ...

. When finely powdered, the dried roots furnished a frequent constituent of tooth powders. The powdered roots have also served, especially in

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of th ...

, to color

wine Wine is an alcoholic drink typically made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented grapes. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Different ...

s ruby red. The root bark contains an almost insoluble free red substance called ratanhia red. ''Krameria'' are found across the

Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America, North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. ...

, with most native to the tropical regions. They are perennial shrubs which act as root parasites on other plants. The flowers have glands called elaiophores which produce a lipid which is collected by bees of the genus '' Centris'' as they pollinate the flowers.

Selected species

*''

'' Mart. ex Spreng. – para rhatany *''

Krameria bicolor ''Krameria bicolor'' is a perennial shrub or subshrub of the family Krameriaceae, the rhatanies. It is commonly known as white rhatany, crimson-beak, and ''chacate'' in Spanish (''cosahui'' in the state of Sonora). It is found in drier environme ...

'' S.Watson (=''K. grayi'') – white rhatany *''

Krameria cistoidea ''Krameria cistoidea'' is a perennial shrub in the plant family Krameriaceae. The biological action of genus members is caused by the astringent rhataniatannic acid, which is similar to tannic acid. Members of ''Krameria'' are found across the A ...

'' *''

Krameria erecta ''Krameria erecta'' is a species of rhatany known by several common names, including Pima rhatany, purple heather, and littleleaf rhatany. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in dry areas such as de ...

'' Willd. ex Schult. & Schult. f. – Pima rhatany, purple heather, littleleaf rhatany *''

Krameria ixine ''Krameria ixine'' (abrojo colorado) is a perennial shrub of the family Krameriaceae, the Rhatanies. It is native to Puerto Rico, Haiti, Netherlands Antilles, Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (, ) is a sovereign country in the We ...

'' L. – abrojo Colorado *''

Krameria lanceolata ''Krameria lanceolata'', commonly called trailing krameria, is a flowering plant in the rhatany family (Krameriaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found in the southwestern and south-central United States, and the state states of ...

'' Torr. – trailing krameria *''

'' (Dombey) Burdet & B.B.Simpson (=''K. triandra'', ''K. iluca'') – Peruvian rhatany *''

Krameria ramosissima ''Krameria'' is the only genus in the Krameriaceae family, of which any of the approximately 18 species are commonly known as rhatany, ratany or rattany. Rhatany is also the name given to krameria root, a botanical remedy consisting of the dried ...

'' (A.Gray) S.Watson – manystem rhatany

References

*Simpson, B. B. (1982). ''Krameria'' (Krameriaceae) flowers: Orientation and elaiophore morphology. ''Taxon'' 31:3 517–528 *

External links

Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants Profile
{{Taxonbar, from=Q290473 Rosid genera