Retama raetam
Retama raetam
Safety & Hazards
The fruits (seedpods) are considered toxic and are thought to provoke hallucinations[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ]. Ingesting the plant in order to produce an abortion has sometimes led to poisoning and even death[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ]. 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[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ].
Botanical Description
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[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ]. 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[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ].