Genus Retama L. (Leguminosae, Tribe Genisteae), is a Mediterranean genus, it naturalized in the new world recently. It includes four (Retama dasycarpa, R. monosperma, R. raetam and R. sphaerocarpa) xeromorphic, stem assimilating  species. The associated species to the Retama spp. are variable and controlled by the spatial distribution and geographic location of each species. The pollen grain of Retama spp < em>. is monad, trizono-colporate, some Retama spp. flowers are lacking nectar, othersare nectar-producing species and insect pollinated. Retama spp. utilize a combination of defense mechanisms, acclimatization and adaptation strategies including the stress response genes, physiological and microbiological adaptations to both drought and salinity stresses. Soil and endophytic microbes play an important role in improving establishment  of Retama species  under environmental stresses. Genus Retama is eutetraploid with homogeneous karyologic chromosomes, the genome size is an adaptive trait correlated to environmental situations.
This review covered the taxonomy of Retama species and their potentialities in arid lands particularly for their role in soil protection, stability, fertility, and desert rehabilitation. The phytochemistry of Retama species including flavonoids, essential oil, alkaloids, terpenes, steroids, fatty acids, polysaccharides, and mineral composition was elaborated. In addition to its multipurpose uses as fodder, ethnobotanical uses, and pharmacological activities its active compound possess anticancer, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antileukemic, antiarrhythmic, antibacterial, antifungal activities, and others. This study aimed to highlight the potentialities of the C3 shrubby-leguminous species and its adaptive strategies to the arid-desert stresses, to offer interesting trends to improve the economic crops.