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Native Plant Database

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Krameria lanceolata (Trailing krameria)
Lytle, Melody

Krameria lanceolata Torr.

Trailing krameria, Ratany, Crameria, Prairie sandbur, Trailing Ratany

Krameriaceae (Ratany Family)

USDA Symbol: KRLA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This is not the sandbur of the Grass Family; however, its burs are just as spiny, though densely covered with white hairs. The flowers and short silky leaves grow on prostrate branches, up to 2 feet long, from a thick woody root. The 5 wine-red sepals may be mistaken for the petals, which are smaller and tinged with green, the upper 3 being united. The flowers are about 1 inch broad. Not conspicuous or abundant.

One of the common names sandbur comes from the hard, one-seeded, wooly fruit covered with barbless spines.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AR , AZ , CO , FL , GA , KS , NM , OK , TX
Native Habitat: Distribtution is from Kansas to Arizona and south to Chihuahua and Texas. Widespread over Texas, missing only from the wettest, densest pine forests of east Texas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Collect seed in summer when fruit is brown and sharp.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0214 Collected May 6, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 0147 Collected Apr 26, 1991 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
NPSOT 0062 Collected May 19,1990 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1169 Collected 2012-06-25 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Krameria lanceolata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Krameria lanceolata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Krameria lanceolata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-06-18
Research By: NPIS

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