Bloomipedia
Littleleaf rhatany (Krameria erecta)
Photo: Sue Carnahan via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Littleleaf rhatany

Krameria erecta

Littleleaf rhatany (Krameria erecta) is a shrub in the Krameriaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly March–May across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Littleleaf rhatany is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in March–May.

6states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
4,666U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona, Nevada

Quick look

Krameria erecta is a species of rhatany known by several common names, including Pima rhatany, purple heather, and littleleaf rhatany. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in dry areas such as desert flats and chaparral slopes.

  • It belongs to the Krameriaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 6 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona and Nevada. NatureServe
  • In Arizona, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–August. iNaturalist
  • In Nevada, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 2 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 1,160 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #88 among the 132 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 819 research-grade sightings of it in Nevada, ranking #40 among the 132 flowers on our Nevada list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (846 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
ArizonaNativeApril–August1,160
NevadaNativeApril–May819

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Nevada
Not listed Not on Nevada fully protected plants, critically endangered (NAC 527.010). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Nevada. NAC 527.010
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: UT (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records littleleaf rhatany in 6 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Yuma.

Nevada counties with USDA records: Clark, Lincoln, Nye.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Littleleaf rhatany a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 7.0 to 8.5 and winter lows down to -13 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
High
Moisture use
Low
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
7.0 to 8.5
Minimum temperature tolerated
-13 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
250
Annual precipitation range
4 to 12 inches
Minimum root depth
6 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Slow
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Purple · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, seed
Commercial availability
Contracting Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for KRER. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Krameria glandulosa, Krameria imparata, Krameria parvifolia.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 32 counties across 6 states; the most are in Arizona (12), Texas (8), California (5).

Other Krameria on Bloomipedia (2): Trailing rhatany, White rhatany.

More Arizona flowers

White rhatany (Krameria bicolor)

White rhatany

Krameria bicolor

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🌼 Blooms in AZ: April–August
Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Saguaro

Carnegiea gigantea

★ AZ state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms in AZ: April–June
Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata)

Creosote bush

Larrea tridentata

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🌼 Blooms in AZ: March–April

Sources