General: During most of the year, Littleleaf Ratany (Krameria erecta) is a many-branched shrub that forms a low mound of short, thin branches. During the growing season, the plant puts on short, narrow leaves and pink flowers.

Littleleaf Ratany is a fairly common component of vegetation associations in washes and on rocky bajadas in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone.

Family: Ratany (Krameriaceae).

Other Names: krameria, rhatany, pima rhatany, purple heather, range ratany,

Plant Form: Prostrate, somewhat spreading, many-branched shrub.

Height: Usually shin-high, but sometimes grows to about 2 feet.

Bark:

Stems: Branches often ascending, tips blunt; covered in tiny hairs.

Leaves: Small, narrow (simple, alternate, sessile; linear, hairy, tip pointed).

Flowers: Blooms in the spring. Flowers solitary. Petals tiny; sepals larger, cupped, pink, 4-5 (appearing to be petals).

Seeds: Fruit is a heart-shaped bur with one seed inside and many, fine red hairs on the outside.

Habitat: Dry, well-drained sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils on upper bajadas, moderate slopes, and rocky ridges in the lower mountains.

Elevation: Up to about 4,000 feet.

Distribution: Southwestern US. Southern California to Texas, south into northern Mexico.

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