Phenological, morphological, and anatomical adaptive strategies of Retama raetam (Fabaceae) in Saharan and steppe environments

Meryem BOUSBAA; Abdelmadjid CHEHMA; Hafida TRABELSI; Marius N. GRIGORE

doi:10.55779/nsb18112870

Authors

Meryem BOUSBAA Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Laboratoire de Bio-Ressources Sahariennes: Préservation et Valorisation, Ouargla 30000 (DZ) https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0548-1842
Abdelmadjid CHEHMA 1) Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Laboratoire de Bio-Ressources Sahariennes: Préservation et Valorisation, Ouargla 30000; 2) Université de Ghardaïa, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Département des Sciences Agronomiques, Ghardaïa 47000 (DZ) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7587-2722
Hafida TRABELSI Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Laboratoire de Bio-Ressources Sahariennes: Préservation et Valorisation, Ouargla 30000 (DZ) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9069-6835
Marius N. GRIGORE Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Doctoral School of Biology, 20A Bulevardul Carol I, Iaşi 700506 (RO) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1317-0298

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb18112870

Keywords:

adaptation, anatomy, arid environments, morphology, phenology, xerophyte

Abstract

Saharan and steppe ecosystems host a distinctive flora adapted to severe environmental conditions. One representative species is Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel., a xerophytic shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized for its ecological importance and pastoral and medicinal value. The objective of this research was to examine the morpho-phenological characteristics and anatomical features of Retama raetam populations growing in Saharan and steppe habitats. To achieve representative coverage, subjective sampling was combined with the minimum-area method. Six morphological parameters were assessed: plant height, circumference, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, flower length, and fruit length. In addition, four phenological stages (leaf emergence, flowering, fruiting, and fruit maturation) were monitored over time. Histological analyses focused on stem and leaf cross-sections, while anatomical measurements included epidermal thickness, cortical parenchyma cell diameter, xylem vessel diameter, and the dimensions of piliferous crypts. The statistical analysis of the results indicated a general morphological similarity between plants from the two regions. Nevertheless, phenological observations showed that plants from Saharan locations entered developmental stages earlier than those from steppe environments, a pattern likely linked to climatic and environmental differences. Anatomical investigations confirmed that Retama raetam exhibits structural traits associated with xerophytic adaptation in both habitats. Significant histological differences were recorded between sites, particularly in epidermis thickness (P = 0.00013), cortical parenchyma diameter (P = 0.0078), and crypt width (P = 0.0016). These findings demonstrate that Retama raetam is highly adapted to both Saharan and steppe conditions.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Abdou Habou KM, Abdou L, Rabio H, Garvi J, Ibrahim Mamadou M, Kaka Kiari BK, Mahamane A (2020). Variability of the morphological characters of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. based on the climatic gradient of Zinder region (east-central Niger). International Journal of Development Research 10(1):33309-33315.

Ali I, Abbas SQ, Hameed M, Naz N, Zafar S, Kanwal S (2009). Leaf anatomical adaptations in some exotic species of Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtaceae). Pakistan Journal of Botany 41(6):2717-2727.

Al-Sharari N, Bakhashwain AS, Elfeel AA (2020). Profiling and importance of underutilized neglected species of hyper arid climate of Saudi Arabia. Life Science Journal 17(7):35-42.

Alteerah MA, El-Barasi, YM, Alwerfally AA (2023). Vegetation cover composition and seed bank study of beach sand dunes in Karkurah Coastal area, east of Libya. Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research 11:1-16. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2293

Al-Tubuly RA, Auzi AA, Al-Etri-Endi AA, Nahar L, Sarker SD (2011). Effects of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. (Fabaceae) on the central nervous system in experimental animals. Archives of Biological Sciences 63(4):1015-1021.https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS1104015A

Alwasia AN, Altawirghi NMJ, Sherif FM (2018). Pharmacological evaluation of the Libyan folk herb Retama raetam seeds in mice. International Journal of Academic Health and Medical Research 2(11):1-6.

Barakat NAM, Laudadio V, Cazzato E, Tufarelli V (2013). Potential contribution of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. as a forage shrub in Sinai, Egypt. Arid Land Research and Management 27:257-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/15324982.2012.756561

Bezic N, Dunkic V, Radonic A (2003). Anatomical and chemical adaptation of Spartium junceum L. in arid habitat. Acta Biologica Cracoviensia, Series Botanica 45(2):43-47.

Bibi H, Afzal M, Muhammad A (2014). Morphological and anatomical studies on selected Dicot Xerophytes of district Karak, Pakistan. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences 14(11):1201-1212.

Bokhari-Taieb Brahimi H, Boughanmi-Abdeddaim K, Kaid-Harche M (2018). Anatomie et histologie de deux fabacées arbustives: Retama reatam et Retama monosperma [Anatomical and histological study of two shrubby Fabaceae Retama reatam and Retama monosperma]. PhytoChem &BioSub Journal 12(1):72-82.

Bouassaba K (2018). Effet du stress salin sur le comportement biochimique et anatomique chez deux variétés de Piment (Capsicum annuum L.) à Mila / Algérie [Effect of salt stress on biochemical and anatomical behavior in two varieties of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Mila, Algeria]. European Scientific Journal 14(15):159-174. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2018.v14n15p159

Boughalleb F, Abdellaoui R, Ben-Brahim N, Neffati M (2014). Anatomical adaptations of Astragalus gombiformis Pomel under drought stress. Central European Journal of Biology 9(12):1215-1225. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-014-0353-7

Boulila F, Depret G, Boulila A, Belhadi D, Benallaoua S, Laguerre G (2009). Retama species growing in different ecological-climatic areas of northeastern Algeria have a narrow range of rhizobia that form a novel phylogenetic clade within the Bradyrhizobium genus. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 32(4):245-255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2009.01.005

Boumakhleb A, Chehma A (2014). Diversité floristique des Atriplexaies de la region de Djelfa [Floristic Diversity of Atriplexaies in the Region of Djelfa]. Revue des BioRessources 4(2):29-39. https://doi.org/10.12816/0025670

Chaouia C, Elkredim H, Benrebiha FZ, Saidi F, Snoussi SA, Bouchnak F… Moussi H (2012). Etude de quelques paramètres phenologiques et physiologiques d'Artemisia campestris [Study of some phenological and physiological parameters of Artemisia campestris]. Revue Agrobiologia 3:54-63.

Chehma A, Djebar M, Hadjalji F, Rouabeh L (2005). Etude floristique spatio-temporelle des parcours sahariens du Sud-Est Algérien [The floristic composition of the Saharan rangelands of South East Algeria]. Sécheresse 16(4):275-285.

Chehma A, Djebar MR (2008). Les espèces médicinales spontanées du Sahara septentrional algérien: distribution spatio-temporelle et étude ethnobotanique [Spontaneous medicinal species of the northern Algerian Sahara: spatio-temporal distribution and ethnobotanical study]. Revue Synthèse 17:36-45.

Chehma A, Bouzegag I, Chehma Y (2008). Productivité de la phytomasse éphémère des parcours camelins du Sahara septentrional algérien [Productivity of ephemeral phytomass in camel grazing areas of the northern Algerian Sahara]. Fourrages 194:253-256.

Cosgrove DJ (2005). Growth of the plant cell wall. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 6(11):850-861. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm1746

Delaune M, Reiffsteck M, Feller C (1991). L'analyse granulométrique de sols et sédiments à l'aide du microgranulomètre «Sedigraph 5000 ET» comparaison avec la méthode «pipette Robinson» [Particle size analysis of soils and sediments using the Sedigraph 5000 ET microgranulometer comparison with the Robinson pipette method]. Cahiers Orstom, Sér. Pédologie 26(2):183-189.

El-lamey T (2020). Changes in some chemical compounds of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. in response to different environmental conditions. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences 16(2):78-91.

Falsini S, Tani C, Sambuco G, Papini A, Faraoni P, Campigli S… Rizzo D (2022). Anatomical and biochemical studies of Spartium junceum infected by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex ST 87. Protoplasma 259(1):103-115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-021-01640-2

Faried AM, El-Karemy ZA, Hosni HA, Saleh SM, Aboulela M (2022). Diversity of seed-coat structure and thickness among six genera representing tribes Sophoreae, Crotalarieae, and Genisteae (Papilionoideae, Fabaceae) in Egypt. Revista Brasileira de Botanica 45:713-728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-022-00803-6

Ghani U, Nur-e-Alam M, Yousaf M, Ul-Haq Z, Noman OM, Al-Rehaily AJ (2019). Natural flavonoid α-glucosidase inhibitors from Retama raetam: Enzyme inhibition and molecular docking reveal important interactions with the enzyme active site. Bioorganic Chemistry 87:736-742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.03.079

Gounot M (1969). Méthode d’étude quantitative de la végétation [Method for the quantitative study of vegetation]. Masson, Paris.

Grigore M-N (2022). Morfologia plantelor: aspecte ecologice. Editura Universității “Ștefan cel Mare” Suceava.

Grigore M-N (2025). Plant Ecological Anatomy, Springer Cham.

Hazelton P, Murphy B (2016). Interpreting soil test results. What do all the numbers mean? CSIRO Publishing, Australia.

Hemmami H, Ben Seghir B, Zeghoud S, Ben Amor I, Kouadri I, Rebiai, ... Atanassova M (2023). Desert Endemic Plants in Algeria: A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Polyphenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Activities. Molecules 28(4):1834. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041834

IUCN (2005). A guide to medicinal plant in north Africa. IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Malaga.

Jdaidi N, Hasnaoui B (2016). Influence des facteurs climatiques sur la phénologie de Merisier (Prunus avium) au nord-ouest de la Tunisie [Influence of climatic factors on the phenology of wild cherry (Prunus avium) in northwestern Tunisia]. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires 4(2):23-31.

Jordan GJ, Weston PH, Carpenter RJ (2008). The evolutionary relations of sunken, covered, and encrypted stomata in Proteaceae. American Journal of Botany 95(5):521-530. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.2007333

Koura K, Mbaide Y, Ganglo J (2014). Caractéristiques phénotypique et structurale de la population de Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. du nord-Bénin [Phenotypic and structural characteristics of the Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. population from Northern Benin]. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 7(6):2409-2425. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v7i6.19

Mahamane A, Mahamane S (2009). Structures anatomiques de quelques organes de Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. Ex Poir. et adaptation à la sécheresse [Anatomical structures of Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. ex Poir. and adaptation to dryness]. Secheresse 20(2):237-239.

Mechergui K, Mahmoudi H, Khouja ML, Jaouadi W (2017). Factors influencing seed germination of the pastoral plant Retama raetam subsp. bovei (Fabaceae): interactive effects of fruit morphology, salinity, and osmotic stress. Biologija. 63(2):134-151. https://doi.org/10.6001/biologija.v63i2.3525

Melki M, Dahmane A (2008). Identification de quelques mutants de blé dur performants en conditions de sécheresse naturelle [Identification of some mutants of durum wheat with high performance under natural drought conditions]. Sechresse 19(1):47-53. https://doi.org/10.1684/sec.2008.0119

Metusala D, Supriatna J, Nisyawati, Sopandie D (2017). Comparative leaf and root anatomy of two Dendrobium species (Orchidaceae) from different habitat in relation to their potential adaptation to drought. AIP Conference Proceedings 1862(1):030118. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4991222

Nedjimi B, Guit B (2012). Les Steppes Algériennes : Causes de Déséquilibre [The algerian steppes: causes of imbalance]. Algerian Journal of Arid Environment 2(2):50-61.

Nur-E-Alam M, Yousaf M, Parveen I, Hafizur RM, Ghani U, Ahmed S... Al-Rehaily AJ (2019). New flavonoids from the Saudi Arabian plant: Retama raetam which stimulates secretion of insulin and inhibits α-glucosidase. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry 17:1266-1276. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ob02755b

Ozenda P (1977). Flore du Sahara, 2ème éd. revue et complétée [Flora of the Sahara]. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris.

Quezel P, Santa S (1962). Nouvelle flore de l'Algérie et des régions désertiques méridionales [New flora of Algeria and the southern desert regions]. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris.

Rejab A, Ksibi H (2022). Particle crystallization by supercritical antisolvent processing techniques: the case of Retama raetam powder for pharmaceutical purposes. International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering 21(6):717-726. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2022-0119

Saada M, Wasli H, Kboubi R, Girard-Lalancette K, Mshvildadze V (2021). Bio-guided fractionation of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel polar extracts. Molecules 26(19):5800. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195800

Slimani N, Chehma A (2009). Essai de caractérisation de quelques paramètres d’adaptation au milieu hyper-aride saharien des principales plantes spontanées vivaces de la région de Ouargla (Algérie) [Attempt to characterize some parameters of adaptation to the hyper-arid Saharan environment of the main spontaneous perennial plants of the Ouargla region (Algeria)]. Journal Algérien des Régions Arides 8:16-21.

Susetyarini E, Wahyono P, Latifa R, Nurrohman E (2020). The identification of morphological and anatomical structures of Pluchea indica. In: Proceedings of the 5th Hamzanwadi International Conference of Technology and Education 2019. Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1539:012001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1539/1/012001

Tripathi SN (2024). A glimpse on the pioneer contributions on plant anatomy and ecological significance of wood elements in relation to plants adaptation. Journal of the Kalash Science 11(2):31-40.

Valladares F, Gianoli E, Gómez JM (2007). Ecological limits to plant phenotypic plasticity. New Phytologist 176(4):749-763. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02275.x

Youssef RA, Amer WM, Hamed AB (2023). Genus Retama Raf., 1838 (Fabales, Fabaceae): taxonomic revision in Egypt supported by molecular fingerprinting. Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum 17(3):435-458. https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2023.17.3.0435