BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Krameria grayi | White Ratany 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
White ratany is a native, perennial, densely branched, deciduous shrub
from 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) tall.  The leaves are alternate and
simple.  The fruit is one-seeded, globose, indehiscent, thick walled and
spiny [14,20].

The roots form grafts with members of the same or different species,
forming protocooperation or a parasitic relationship [29].  This
relationship may help explain white ratany's drought resistance.


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Undisturbed State:  Phanerophyte (nanophanerophyte).
   Burned or Clipped State:  Cryptophyte (geophyte).


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
White ratany reproduces sexually by seed.  In years with high soil
moisture it will flower twice, in the spring and again in the fall [29].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
White ratany's habitat is the desert environs, where it occupies sandy
to rocky flats, bajadas, and washes [26].

Soil:  White ratany occurs in Alfisol, Aridisol, and Entisol soil orders
[7,13].

Climate:  White ratany inhabits the fringe between cool and warm
deserts.  In the northern portion of its range the precipitation is
received primarily during the winter, whereas in the southern portion it
is received in the summer.  The mean rainfall is 10.8 inches (27.4 cm),
with an evapotransporation rate of 85 inches (216 cm) [2,3].

Elevation:  White ratany generally grows at elevations ranging from
1,000 to 4,000 feet (303-1,212 m) [29].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
White ratany is a climax component of the creosotebush-tarbush
(Flourensia cernua) plant association.  This plant association has been
termed a "super climax".  After a disturbance, the site is recolonized
by same species present in the predisturbance vegetative community.
These species then persist until the next disturbance [19].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
White ratany begins active growth in early April; flowering may start in
late April to early May; and fruiting may begin in late May to early
August, depending on latitude and elevation [14,20,29].

Related categories for Species: Krameria grayi | White Ratany