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White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Shrubs Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany, an upright shrub

General: White Ratany (Krameria grayi) is an upright, much branched shrub growing to about 3-ft high. The leaves are hairy, narrowly lanceolate, and with a pointed tip. The flowers are purple and asymmetrical, although actually the sepals are purple and flared-back; three of the petals are green, pointed upward, and with purple tips; and the other two petals are glandular and held along the ovary. The fruits are covered with spines that are hooked at the tip like a grappling hook (compare with pointed spine tips on the fruits of Littleleaf Ratany).

White Ratany is a fairly common component of vegetation communities in dry, well-drained gravelly areas on bajadas into the lower mountains in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub), life zones.

Around Las Vegas, look for White Ratany to the northeast of town (Valley of Fire, Gold Butte Region) or south of town (Mojave National Preserve). Closer to town, look for the other species of ratany (Littleleaf Ratany).

Family: Ratany (Krameriaceae). Also called Krameria bicolor.

White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany during spring with flowers
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany during spring with flowers
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany during winter
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany during winter
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Stems armed with terminal spines
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Stems armed with terminal spines
White Ratany (Krameria grayi) White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Leaves and stems covered with fine hairs
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Leaves and stems covered with fine hairs
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Leaves and stems covered with fine hairs
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Leaves, stems, and flower buds covered with fine hairs
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Leaves, stems, and flower buds covered with fine hairs
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Developing flower bud
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Flowers and buds
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Flower bud
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany in northern Gold Butte
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany in northern Gold Butte
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
The three "real" petals are green with purple tips
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
The three "real" petals are green with purple tips
White Ratany (Krameria grayi) White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany (Krameria grayi) White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany (Krameria grayi) White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Developing fruit
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Developing fruit
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Fruits on the bush
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Fruits with spines; spines hooked at the tips
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Fruits with spines; spines hooked at the tips
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Fruits with spines; spines hooked at the tips
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Old fruits during winter; spines hooks at the tips
White Ratany (Krameria grayi)
Old fruits during winter; spines hooks at the tips

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 220626

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