Ratania
/rəˈteɪniə/noun
A South American shrub of the genus Krameria, especially Krameria triandra, whose root has been used medicinally and as a dye.
Did you know?Ratania root contains tannins that can produce a deep red color, helping make it historically valuable in both traditional medicine and dyeing.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-18th Century
Indigenous South America
Uncertain
“The ultimate Indigenous source of the plant name has not been securely identified.”
18th Century
Spanish
ratania
“A name for the South American shrub and its medicinal root.”
18th Century
Latin
Ratania
“An early botanical form used in European scientific writing for the plant.”
1759
Latin
Krameria triandra
“The botanical species name later applied to the plant commonly called ratania.”
19th Century
English
ratania
“An English medical and botanical term for the plant or its root.”
Modern English
English
ratania
“A shrub of the genus Krameria, or its dried medicinal root.”