retem

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• retem
• white weeping-broom
• White weeping broom

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spartium raetam
• Lygos raetam
• Genista raetam

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Retama raetam, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic position is completed within the genus Retama.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several Mediterranean regions. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing in Greece and Sicilia. Its range extends significantly into Northern Africa as well. Specifically, the species is documented in Algeria and Libya. Finally, it is also widely distributed throughout Egypt.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Retama raetam is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its habitat through multiple growing seasons. Regarding its structural growth and survival strategy, the species exhibits a complex life form profile that includes characteristics of both phanerophytes, where the permanent shoots extend above the ground level, and nanophanerophytes, which typically maintain a more compact, low-growing stature. This combination of life forms enables the plant to adapt effectively to its environmental conditions over its extended lifecycle.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Retama raetam is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, functioning as a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit any climbing or parasitic behavior. It is an independent organism that thrives in terrestrial environments, rather than aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. Structurally, the plant is defined by its woody nature and can reach a maximum plant height of approximately 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Retama raetam is characterized by several specialized adaptations that allow it to thrive in arid and semi-arid Mediterranean environments. A fundamental aspect of its metabolic function is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism, involving the direct fixation of carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO. To mitigate the physiological stress associated with high temperatures and limited water availability typical of its habitat, the plant exhibits significant morphological and physiological plasticity, often utilizing its green, photosynthetic stems to supplement carbon fixation and reduce transpirational water loss through leaf reduction. Its water relations are managed through highly efficient stomatal control and a robust root system designed for rapid moisture uptake, supporting its overall metabolic processes despite the inherent limitations of the C3 pathway in water-scarce conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Retama raetam is primarily driven by the production of seeds contained within its seed pods, which exhibit specific morphological characteristics essential for its life cycle. The reproductive output is characterized by variation in seed size and weight, which plays a crucial role in the plant's ability to colonize arid environments. Detailed quantitative analysis of the seeds reveals a mean seed mass of 0.08304 g. The distribution of these masses shows a measurable range, with the smallest recorded seed mass being 0.05986 g and the largest reaching a maximum of 0.10316 g. This variability in seed mass contributes to the species' reproductive strategy, potentially influencing seedling vigor and survival rates during germination in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.10316 g

Seed mass mean:

0.08304 g

Seed mass min:

0.05986 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Retama raetam has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Decen-1-ol, Carotenoids, Erysubin A, Erysubin B, Flavonoid.

2-Decen-1-ol

1. Natural product research

Carotenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Erysubin A

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Erysubin B

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Flavonoid

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Isoflavones

1. Organic & biomolecular chemistry

Isoflavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

LIMONENE

1. Natural product research

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Sparteine

1. Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]

Activities

Retama raetam has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic.

Antioxidant

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]

Antibacterial

1. Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]

Antimicrobial

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Antiseptic

1. Natural product research

Medicinal Uses

Retama raetam has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, inflammation, pruritus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations