- Rhatany
Taxobox
name = Rhatany
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "K. lappacea"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Zygophyllales
familia = Krameriaceae
genus = "Krameria"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = 17-18 - see textRhatany or ratany is the common name for any of about 17 species in genus "Krameria", the sole genus in the plant family Krameriaceae. Rhatany is also the name given to krameria root, a botanical remedy consisting of the dried root of three species of "Krameria", para rhatany ("
Krameria lappacea " or "Krameria argentea ") and Peruvian rhatany ("Krameria triandra ").The biological action of rhatany is caused by the
astringent rhataniatannic acid , which is similar totannic acid . Infusions have been used as a gargle, a lozenge, especially when mixed withcocaine , as a localhemostatic and remedy fordiarrhea ."Krameria" are found across the Americas, with most native to the tropical regions. They are perennial shrubs which act as root parasites on other plants. The flowers have glands called elaiophores which produce a lipid which is collected by bees of the genus "
Centris " as they pollinate the flowers.Genus "Krameria" includes:
*"Krameria argentea " - para rhatany
*"Krameria cystisoides "
*"Krameria erecta " - Pima rhatany, purple heather, littleleaf rhatany
*"Krameria grayi " - white rhatany
*"Krameria ixine " - abrojo colorado
*"Krameria lappacea " - para rhatany
*"Krameria lanceolata " - trailing krameria
*"Krameria ramosissima " - manystem rhatany
*"Krameria triandra " - Peruvian rhatanyExternal links
* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4741,4742 Jepson Manual Treatment]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=KRAME USDA Plants Profile]
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?6392 GRIN Species List]References
*Simpson, B. B. (1982). "Krameria" (Krameriaceae) flowers: Orientation and elaiophore morphology. "Taxon" 31:3 517-528
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