This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Ceratonia siliqua
  • Carob

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ceratonia genus in the family Leguminosae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Ceratonia siliqua has 0 edible uses listed
Ceratonia siliqua has 0 material uses listed
Ceratonia siliqua has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seedpods - raw or ground into a powder[1][2][3][4][5]. The seedpods are filled with a saccharine pulp and can be eaten both green or dried[6]. They are very sweet but fibrous[7], the pulp can be used as a chocolate substitute in cakes, drinks etc[7]. It is rich in sugars and protein[7]. The pods contain about 55% sugars, 10% protein[8] and 6% fat[3].

Seed - rich in protein. A flour is made from them which is 60% protein, it is free from sugar and starch and is suitable for baking[9][10]. It can be used as a chocolate substitute[11]. An edible gum is extracted from the seed, a substitute for Gum Tragacanth (see Astragalus species)[9]. A stabilizer and thickening agent[12][7], it is also used as an egg substitute[13][9][12].

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[13][14][7].

Unknown part

Chocolate
Coffee
Egg
Gum

Seed

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Material uses

A flour made from the seedpods is used in the cosmetic industry to make face-packs[2].

Tannin is obtained from the bark[2].

Wood - hard, lustrous. Highly valued by turners, it is also used for marquetry and walking sticks[2][13][4][8].

Unknown part

Cosmetic
Tannin
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The pulp in the seedpods of carob is very nutritious and, due to its high sugar content, sweet-tasting and mildly laxative[15]. However, the pulp in the pods is also astringent and, used in a decoction, will treat diarrhoea and gently help to cleanse and also relieve irritation within the gut[16][15]. Whilst these appear to be contradictory effects, carob is an example of how the body responds to herbal medicines in different ways, according to how the herb is prepared and according to the specific medical problem[15]. The seedpods are also used in the treatment of coughs[16]. A flour made from the ripe seedpods is demulcent and emollient[2]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[2].

The seed husks are astringent and purgative[16].

The bark is strongly astringent[15]. A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[15].

Unknown part

Astringent
Demulcent
Emollient
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing. If the seed has not swollen then give it another soaking in warm water until it does swell up. Sow in a greenhouse in April[17]. Germination should take place within 2 months. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual deep pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ceratonia siliqua. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a very sunny position in any well-drained moderately fertile soil[17]. Does well in calcareous, gravelly or rocky soils[18][19]. Tolerates salt laden air[18]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.2 to 8.6. The tree is very drought resistant, thriving even under arid conditions, the roots penetrating deep into the soil to find moisture[20][9][18][17].

This species is not very hardy in Britain but it succeeds outdoors in favoured areas of S. Cornwall[1], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c when in a suitable position[17]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. The carob is frequently cultivated in warm temperate zones for its edible seed and seed pods[1]. Mature trees in a suitable environment can yield up to 400 kilos of seedpods annually[9]. There are named varieties with thicker pods[9][7]. Seeds are unlikely to be produced in Britain since the tree is so near (if not beyond) the limits of its cultivation[K]. The seed is very uniform in size and weight, it was the original 'carat' weight of jewellers[1][4].

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ceratonia siliqua. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ceratonia siliqua.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ceratonia siliqua
Genus
Ceratonia
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Medicinal uses
[15][16][2]
Material uses & Functions
[2][13][4][8]
Botanic
[4][17]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
15 x meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.8 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (1987-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.6 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
  10. ? 10.010.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. (1970-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.417.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
  19. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
  20. ? Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)

"image:Ceratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Ceratonia_siliqua&oldid=76106"
Facts about "Ceratonia siliqua"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
Belongs to genusCeratonia +
Functions asNitrogen fixer +
Has binomial nameCeratonia siliqua +
Has common nameCarob +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +, Seed + and Seedpod +
Has edible useChocolate +, Coffee +, Egg +, Gum + and Unknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone8 +
Has imageCeratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useCosmetic +, Tannin + and Wood +
Has mature height15 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAstringent +, Demulcent +, Emollient + and Purgative +
Has primary imageCeratonia siliqua female flowers 04-RJP.jpg +
Has search nameceratonia siliqua + and carob +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameCeratonia siliqua +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy + and Secondary canopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua +, Ceratonia siliqua + and Ceratonia siliqua +