Retem
Retama raetam
- Native to:
- Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Sudan-South Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara
Original: Ariel Palmon Derived: Peter Coxhead,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Retama
- Species:
- Retama raetam
- USDA Symbol:
- RERA2
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire or cutting. Common in fire-prone Mediterranean and desert ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 7.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid desert regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification (mechanical or hot water treatment) for best germination. Seeds germinate readily after treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI