Common Name:

General Information

Retama raetam is a graceful, deciduous shrub with slender, drooping branches; it can grow up to 3 metres tall and 6 metres wide. The leaves are very small and quickly drop from the plant. The plant remains leafless for most of the year, photosynthesis being carried out by the green stems[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of fuel - it is sometimes sold in local markets as a medicinal herb. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, especially in Mediterranean climates[].

Known Hazards

The fruits (seedpods) are considered toxic and are thought to provoke hallucinations[].
Ingesting the plant in order to produce an abortion has sometimes led to poisoning and even death[].
The flowers are an important source of fodder for dromedaries; when taken in excess this can lead to
dangerous urinary problems. When eaten during drought this can lead to abortion, and gives a bitter taste to the milk[].

Botanical References

Range

Macaronesia - Canary Islands; Mediterranean region - southern Italy, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon

Habitat

Maritime sands and sandy sites in the Sahara[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Retama raetam is a plant of arid regions in the Mediterranean and is able to survive in areas where the mean annual rainfall is around 100mm[]. It can be grown outdoors in temperate regions that are free from prolonged frosts. So long as the preceding summer has been hot enough to ripe the current season's growth, the plant is able to tolerate short periods where temperatures fall to around -5°c.[].
Requires a warm, sunny position in a very well-drained, light-textured soil and some protection from rain in the winter[]. Grows best in drier soils of low fertility[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Whilst Retama raetam is the most commonly used medicinal species[], various studies have shown that all the species in the genus have very similar medicinal properties. They have a range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, antiulcer, antiviral, and hepatoprotective activities[].
The plant is used as an abortifacient, anthelmintic, antiseptic, purgative, sedative, and vulnerary[].

The leaves and young stems are crushed, mixed with honey, and given orally as an emetic1059]. An infusion is used in the treatment of stomach aches, rheumatism, hepatitis, jaundice etc[].
A decoction of the leaves is given as a purgative and anthelmintic, usually in the form of a wash[, ]. Applied as a wash, the leaves and stems are used to treat fractures, burns, aching joints etc[].

An infusion of the leaves and flowers can help produce an abortion - this needs to be used with great caution since it can lead to poisoning[].
Applied externally, the powdered leaves and flowers are used to heal circumcision wounds and as an antiseptic for wounds, bites, skin rash, eczema and pruritus[, ]. A decoction of the plant is used as a massage for treating pruritus and scabies[].

The roots are used in fumigation as an abortifacient[]. They are taken as a vaginal douche[].

The fruits and seeds are used in the treatment of diabetes[].

The stems, leaves and flowers are harvested in the spring and can be prepared as an infusion or a decoction, and are also used in combination with other plants. The plant can be taken either by mouth, or used externally as a poultice[].

The plant contains flavonoids, quinolizidine alkaloid[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used to stabilise sand dunes[].

Other Uses

A good fuel wood[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a frame[].