Retama raetam
Retama raetam
Safety & Hazards
The fruits (seedpods) are considered toxic and are thought to provoke hallucinations[1]. Ingesting the plant in order to produce an abortion has sometimes led to poisoning and even death[1]. 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[1].
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[1]. 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.[2]. Requires a warm, sunny position in a very well-drained, light-textured soil and some protection from rain in the winter[2]. Grows best in drier soils of low fertility[2]. 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[3].
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[2]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Retama+raetam>
Pollinators
Bees, Insects
References
- [1]A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa — IUCN; Malaga, Spain · 2005 · ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 ↩︎A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation — Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. · University of Wisconsin · 1981 · ISBN 0-333-32221-5 ↩︎An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
- [4]Genus Retama: a review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities — León-González A.J. et al · 2018 · https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-018-9555-3 ↩︎Published on-line, an excellent review of the uses of species in the genus Retama