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Cressler, Alan

Krameria lanceolata

Krameria lanceolata Torr.

Trailing Krameria, Ratany, Crameria, Prairie Sandbur, Trailing Ratany

Krameriaceae (Krameria Family)

Synonym(s): Krameria secundiflora, Krameria spathulata

USDA Symbol: KRLA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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 stems, up to 3 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

53 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems decumbent, up to about 3 feet long.

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.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Two petals of the flower of this species produce oils which are collected by members of the bee genus, Centris and fed to their larvae. Centris spp. are the primary pollinators of Krameria lanceolata.
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 on display at the following locations:

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

3 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1169 Collected 2008-06-24 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

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

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2023-02-15
Research By: NPIS

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