About Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss.
Taxonomy and Common Names
Retama monosperma, commonly known as bridal broom or bridal veil broom, is a species of flowering bush in the genus Retama.
Native Distribution
It is native to parts of the Mediterranean Basin: in the western basin it occurs in Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, while in the eastern basin it occurs in Egypt, the East Aegean Islands, and Greece.
Introduced Range
This species has been introduced to other regions outside its native range.
Root Symbiosis
Retama monosperma forms root nodules in a symbiosis with the bacterium Ensifer fredii.
Herbivorous Fauna
The larvae of two moth species, Phyllonorycter hesperiella and Phyllonorycter spartocytisi, feed on this plant.
Seed Toxin
The seeds of Retama monosperma contain cytisine, a toxic alkaloid.
Other Alkaloid Content
Fifteen additional quinolizidine alkaloids and three dipiperidine alkaloids can be isolated from different parts of the plant.
Identified Alkaloids
The specifically detected alkaloids include (+)-sparteine, α-isosparteine, β-isosparteine, (+)-17-oxosparteine, (-)-lupanine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, (-)-anagyrine, (-)-N-methylcytisine, and (+)-ammodendrine.
