Quick facts
| Arabic name | الرتم |
|---|---|
| English name | Ratam (White Broom) |
| Scientific name | Retama raetam |
| Family | Legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Desert shrub |
| Height | Usually 1 to 3 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
Flowering time
January to March
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
Many thin green branches that look almost leafless, small white pea-like flowers, and small pods.
Where it grows
On sand and in valleys of Tabuk, Al-Jouf and the Northern Borders.
Soil
Sandy soil.
Water and irrigation
Needs no watering.
Climate and light
Handles heat and cold.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Holds sand dunes
- Pretty fragrant flowers
- Improves soil by fixing nitrogen
Drawbacks
- Contains poisonous compounds and should not be eaten
- Low grazing value
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Retama raetam
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Retama raetam
- Wikipedia: Retama raetam
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- ASPCA - Toxic and non-toxic plants list
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)