Retama raetam, White Broom, White Weeping Broom,
רותם המדבר , رتم
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| | Scientific name: |
| Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb |
| Common name: |
| White Broom |
| Hebrew name: |
| רותם המדבר |
| Arabic name: |
| رتم, Ratam |
| Family: |
| Papilionaceae, פרפרניים |
Date Picture Taken: April 21, 2008
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| | Life form (Raunkiaer): |
| Phanerophyte shrub |
| Leaves: |
| Alternate, entire |
| Flowers: |
| White |
| Flowering Period: |
| February, March, April |
| Habitat: |
| Sand |
| Distribution: |
| The Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Shrub-steppes, Deserts and extreme deserts |
| Chorotype, טיפוס התפוצה: |
| Saharo-Arabian |
| Summer shedding: |
| perenating |
Date Picture Taken: February 2, 2008
Derivation of the botanical name:
Retama, the Hebrew word rotem רותם, seems to be the same as the
Arabic word retem, and the retama of the Moors. Rotem, retem, or retama in Arabic defines a string tied around the finger as a reminder. An Arab explanation of the definition and the source of the name, is said that rotem designates a ribbon which the Arabs tie before embarking on a journey. If, upon their return they find the ribbon as they left it, they assume from this that their lovers have not been unfaithful, if the oposite is true - it is a sign that she has betrayed him. It is said that the ribbon is tied only onto a rotem (Retama).
- The standard author abbreviation Forssk. is used to indicate Peter Forsskål (1732 – 1763), a Swedish explorer, orientalist and naturalist.
- The standard author abbreviation Webb is used to indicate Philip Barker Webb (1793 – 1854), an English botanist.
Date Picture Taken: Apri 21, 2008
Date Picture Taken: February 2, 2008
Date Picture Taken: February 2, 2008
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