Retama raetam

Retama raetam, commonly known as white broom, is a resilient perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Renowned for its ability to thrive in arid environments, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. It is widely studied for its diverse bioactive compounds, offering potential applications in traditional and modern medicine.

  • Scientific name: Retama raetam
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Europe

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.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Retama 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.

Region Area Source
Southeastern Europe Greece WCVP
Southeastern Europe Sicilia WCVP
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Libya WCVP
Northern Africa Morocco WCVP
Northern Africa Tunisia WCVP
Northern Africa Western Sahara WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Sudan-South Sudan WCVP
Western Asia Lebanon-Syria WCVP

Chemicals

Retama raetam has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-decen-1-ol, Sparteine, Tributyl acetylcitrate, carotenoids, erysubin A.

Total chemicals
14
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
2-decen-1-ol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Sparteine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Tributyl acetylcitrate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
carotenoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
erysubin A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
erysubin B 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
isoflavones 1 ★☆☆☆☆
isoflavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
limonene 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Retama raetam has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiseptic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

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

Total uses
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertension 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pruritus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
skin rash 1 ★☆☆☆☆
wounds 1 ★☆☆☆☆