Family: Krameriaceae
Compound: Kra ere
Synonyms: Krameria glandulosa, Krameria imparata, Krameria palmeri, Krameria parvifolia,
Krameria parvifolia var. glandulosa, Krameria parvifolia var. imparata, Krameria parvifolia var.
parvifolia
Geographic Origin: SW US, N Mexico
Characteristics: A small perennial shrub, usually less than 0.6m (2ft) tall and 1m (3ft) wide.
Numerous, short, tangled branches. Older branches have grey bark, while younger growth is
greenish to purplish. Leaves are linear, and arranged alternately on the stem, and both leaves
and younger stems are covered in dense whitish hairs. Flowers are bilaterally symmetrical,
~1.5cm (0.6in) in diameter, and a vibrant pink/purple color, with some green in the center.
Fruits are small, rounish, tapering to a point. They are covered in small white hairs, and have
numerous flexible red/pink/purple spines.
Natural History: grows between 152-1524m (500-5,000ft) on flats and bajadas in sandy to rocky
soils. Blooming is associated with precipitation. Hemiparasitic attaching to plant roots.
Cultivation Notes: Unknown. May be challenging due to its parasitism.
For plant propagation information, click here
Ethnobotany: Roots used to treat sores, other parts of the plant used to create dye.
Citations:
SEINet Arizona - New Mexico Chapter
https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=4015#