Pima Rhatany or Purple Heather

KRAMERIACEAE: Krameria erecta

What appear to be the main petals in pima rhatany, or purple heather, are actually sepals. The petals are much shorter and bicolored, just above the center of the flower. Note the spreading “flag petals”. The outer two are at an angle of 45 degrees or so to the central one. In Krameria grayi, the flag petals are parallel.