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January 15, 2008 : Retama raetam
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Keywords: Fabaceae | Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. | Makhtesh Ramon – Ramon Crater, Negev Desert, Israel.
Today's photographs and write-up are supplied by Jackie Chambers, a UBC Botanical Garden horticulturist. Thanks, Jackie! As an aside, Jackie is presenting on Wildflowers of Israel and Jordan in early February.
The small, white flowers of Ratema raetem (or white weeping broom) measure between 8-10mm long, and are produced in late winter and early spring. They exhibit the banner, wing and keel petal structure that is typical of the pea family. These flowers emit a sweet, honey fragrance. It was the smell of honey in the middle of the desert that first drew my attention to this plant...that and the fact that it was practically the only other living thing in the vicinity!
Retama raetam is adapted to survive extreme drought conditions. Its roots go deep into the earth, while the slender branches reduce the amount of surface area exposed to dry desert air. While it does produce very small leaves, they are quickly dropped in order to conserve water. The majority of photosynthesis is carried out by the green photosynthetic stems. For more information on plant adaptations to desert conditions please see the article Plant Adaptation in the Extreme Desert in Israel by Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir.
Retama raetam is endemic to North Africa, the Middle East (Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon) and Sicily in southern Italy. It was introduced to Australia as an ornamental in the 1840s and has since naturalized. It is on an Alert List for Potential Weed Species in South Western Australia (PDF).
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at January 15, 2008 5:00 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Deb at January 15, 2008 5:45 AM
. . . to SEE, rather.
Posted by: Deb at January 15, 2008 5:46 AM
How unfortunate for Aussies that it's became an invasive. If it's edible, with honey flavor, it might ease the weeding process. :)
Posted by: TC at January 15, 2008 6:45 AM
I was going to ask...is it edible?
Posted by: Tina Trivett at January 15, 2008 7:36 AM
Retama raetam - Z9 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Posted by: Beverley at January 15, 2008 8:16 AM
The flowers today are beautiful. I was really interested in how it drops is leaves and how it photosynthesis with the green stems. The link was very interesting from the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
Posted by: Margaret-Rae Davis at January 15, 2008 8:58 AM
It was a revelation to see the flowers and then the plant - a great reminder to get "up-close and personal" with plants to truly appreciate them.
Posted by: Barbara Lamb at January 15, 2008 9:25 AM
Lovely. Looks like a tough plant too - no wonder there's an invasiveness alert.
Posted by: van at January 15, 2008 10:41 AM
For,lo!the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone;
the flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds is come
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at January 15, 2008 12:15 PM
I too was struck by the beauty of the flowers and then the general non-descript nature of the plant from a distance. And wow, the background looks pretty sterile. I am thankful for the verdant green here in the eastern U.S., but also grateful to see plants from other areas.
Posted by: bev at January 15, 2008 2:37 PM
Here is Retama monosperma in the entrance garden at Strybing in San Francisco.
The plant is like a living waterfall of graceful, slender arching to pendant stems covered in pea-like flowers.
This shot really gives you an great look at whole-plant photosynthesis in a large shrub/small tree.
Posted by: Eric in SF at January 15, 2008 8:03 PM
cool plant.
Posted by: anne at January 15, 2008 10:48 PM
I just want to say that if what's been happening in January so far - a mix of old and new and some by Daniel and some by others and some days none at all - is the "new" POTD, it's been just fine. If missing out a few days makes it seem more manageable, I'm all for it.
Posted by: Wendy Cutler 
at January 15, 2008 11:04 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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