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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.