Krameria bicolor

 

Krameria bicolor (White Ratany) (Cosahui)

Krameria grayi 

Krameriaceae

• Low-spreading shrub, spine-like branch tips, and small drought-deciduous leaves. The deep magenta flowers, ca i cm in diameter, are crowded in small clusters and may appeal at various times of the year. The bur-like fruit, ca i cm in diameter, resembles a miniature sea urchin. The thick roots radiate from a point about 15 cm below the soil surface. It is a common desert plant, found on the mainland and Tiburon Island. South of Kino Bay it is replaced by a similar, although distinct species, K. sonorae, which develops into a shrub 1.5 to 2 m in height. Dye: the most common basket dye color and, according to Seri oral history, the only color traditionally used was a reddish brown dye. It was generally made from cosahui root. Johnson (1959:12) described it as a "rich burnt sienna color. With considerable effort the lateral roots (not the main root) were dug up with a stick, seashell, knife, or metal spoon. One or two kilograms of roots might be gathered at one time and carried back to the village or camp. The greater bulk of the root consists of thick water-storing bark from which the dye was prepared. The dirt was scraped off the root with a blunt instrument, such as a spoon. The bark was then removed by pounding the root on a metate with a mano, and the mashed bark was placed in boiling water. Rolls of basketry splints (from Jatropha cuneata) were then placed in the dye, and allowed to steep in the boiling brew until they reached the desired color saturation. Prolonged simmering was essential so that the red-brown hue would not later fade. Unbleached muslin was sometimes dyed this manner. Two other plants, Hoffmanseggia and Melochia, were occasionally prepared in a similar manner to produce red-brown dye. In rare instances Krameria roots were mixed with those of Hoffmanseggia. In addition, various objetcs, such as game sticks and beads, were dyed with Krameria dye. Medicine: tea made from the flowers was taken to cure an upset stomach and diarrhea. Tea made from the stems with the bark removed was said to make the blood very red. The stems, dried and ground into powder, were sprinkled on a skin sore that was slow in healing. It was said to help the healing and prevent infection. "People of the Desert and Sea, Ethnobotany of the Seri Indians".