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Ceratonia siliqua

Accession Count: 9
Common Name: carob
Family Name: Fabaceae
Botanical Name: Ceratonia siliqua
Synonyms:
Family Synonyms: Lemuginosae
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: The numerous branches of the tree make the canopy quite dense. The leaves, which are alternately arranged and pinnately compound, are 4 to 10 inches long and hold 8 to 10 leaflets, each about 2 inches long. The leaves are dark green and thick. The flowers are very small, inconspicuous, and unisexual (either male or female). About 11 months pass from flowering to fruit ripening. The bean pods are green during development and then turn dark brown when ripe. The beans can become quite large, ranging from 4 to 10 inches, and can hold 5 to 15 seeds.
Compound: Cer sil
Geographic Origin: Mediterranean
Ecozone Origin: Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Cultivation Notes: Reports from the UC Davis and Nature Conservancy indicate that if seedlings are not actually pulled out, they resprout from the cut end. In Israel, trees will prosper in temperatures over 112 degrees Fahrenheit if provided with supplemental irrigation. Soil that is neutral or alkaline is best. To maintain carob trees there is training needed. Potential problems a grower can encounter are root crown rot, Texas root rot, over-watering, and roots may uproot.

Ethnobotany: The main use and economical importance of this tree is as a cocoa substitute. The walls of the pod and the partitions in the fruit contain very high concentrations of sugar, more minerals and vitamins, and less carbohydrates and fat than cocoa. The bean pulp is also mixed with other feed to obtain a high quality nutritious and superb tasting fodder for horses cattle and goats.
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Pink
Function:
Spread:
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Semi-hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
1. Duffield, Mary Rose., and Warren D. Jones. Plants For Dry Climates - How To Select, Grow And Enjoy. Lane Publishing Company, 1992.
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Ceratonia siliqua