Ceratonia siliqua
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ceratonia siliqua
COMMON NAME(S): Carob (algarroba), St. John's bread
SYNONYM(S):
FAMILY: FABACEAE (LEGUMINOSAE) - Pea family
ORIGIN: Mediterranean
HABITAT: Rocky hillsides, cultivated sites and orchards
RANGE:
TYPE:
HEIGHT: 50-55'
CHARACTERISTICS: dark gray bark
LEAVES: Alternate, pinnate with 6-10 leaflets, to 8" long overall; dark green, leathery
FLOWERS: Small red flowers on slender stalks in clusters along the upper branches; sexes in the same or different flowers, some trees of one sex only
FLOWERING SEASON: Summer
FRUITS: A flattened pod 4-12" long with a thickened edge on each of the long sides; seeds flat, very hard, surrounded by a pale brown pulp
ALLERGENIC PRINCIPLES:
ALLERGENIC PROPERTIES:
COMMENTS: The seed gum (tragasol) is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and a diverse range of other products. Also used in making rubber latex. The seeds and pods are a source of food for cattle and humans, but have a high tannin content. A cocoa-like product is made from the pods.
