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Useful Temperate Plants

Ceratonia siliqua

L.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Carob

No Image.

General Information

Ceratonia siliqua is an evergreen shrub or, more commonly, a tree with a hemishperical crown; it usually grows up to 10 metres tall, occasionally to 15 metres, with a crown that can be up to 14 metres wide[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.. The tree is sometimes cultivated for its edible seeds and seed pods, and is commonly grown as an ornamental in Mediterranean climates[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

89
Title
Flowers of the Mediterranean.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
Publisher
Hogarth Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0-7012-0784-1
Description
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

Mediterranean Region - Spain, east to Greece and Turkey, south to Israel, Jordan and Egyptian Sinai; Morpcco, Algeria, Tunisia

Habitat

Rocky places near the sea shore[
89
Title
Flowers of the Mediterranean.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
Publisher
Hogarth Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0-7012-0784-1
Description
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
]. Dry hillsides in garrigue, coastal and submaritime maquis and in the transitional zone between Mediterranean scrub and Sahara; at elevations up to 600 metres[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height8.00 m
Growth RateSlow
PollinatorsBees, Insects, Wind
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ceratonia siliqua is a plant of Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers and cooler moist winters - it also thrives in warm temperate regions, subtropical areas and hot, humid coastal areas, but does not generally thrive outside those areas. It thrives where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 250 - 550mm[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. Young plants are very frost tender, but older plants develop some resistance and can tolerate ocasional lows to -5°c so long as the soil is freely draining. 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
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Trees can withstand summer temperatures of 40°c and hot dry winds. They need from 5,000 - 6,000 hours with temperatures above 9°c in order for the pods to ripen[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. The plants generally grow well in the more southerly parts of California[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].
Requires a very sunny position in any well-drained moderately fertile soil[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Does well in calcareous, gravelly or rocky soils and also tolerates fairly salty soils[
132
Title
Fruits of the Earth.
Publication
 
Author
Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.
,
166
Title
The Milder Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Taylor. J.
Publisher
Dent
Year
1990
ISBN
 
Description
A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. Tolerates salt laden air[
132
Title
Fruits of the Earth.
Publication
 
Author
Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.
] and urban pollution[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. 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[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
,
132
Title
Fruits of the Earth.
Publication
 
Author
Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The carob is sometimes cultivated, especially in Spain, as a food crop and source of gum. There are some named varieties that have larger seedpods containing more pulp and with a greater sugar content[
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
,
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].
Mature trees in a suitable environment can yield up to 400 kilos of seedpods annually[
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
].
Plants are often slow-growing[
377
Title
Trade Winds Fruit
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].
The seed is very uniform in size and weight, it was the original 'carat' weight of jewellers[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
89
Title
Flowers of the Mediterranean.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
Publisher
Hogarth Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0-7012-0784-1
Description
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms are generally required for seed to be produced. The flowers initially appear to be bisexual, but usually one sex is suppressed during late development of the functionally male or female flowers. Occasional trees produce functional bisexual flowers[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Edible Uses

Seedpods - raw or ground into a powder[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
89
Title
Flowers of the Mediterranean.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
Publisher
Hogarth Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0-7012-0784-1
Description
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
,
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. The seedpods are filled with a powdery, saccharine pulp and can be eaten both green or dried[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
]. Rich in sugars and protein, the pulp is very sweet but fibrous[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. The pulp can be ground into a fine powder and used as a chocolate substitute in cakes, drinks, sweets etc[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. The seedpods can be 10 - 30cm long, 15 - 35mm wide and 10mm thick[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. The pods contain about 55% sugars, 10% protein and 6% fat[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
100
Title
Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1969
ISBN
0192176218
Description
An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].

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[
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
,
171
Title
Economic Botany.
Publication
 
Author
Hill. A. F.
Publisher
The Maple Press
Year
1952
ISBN
-
Description
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some detail about the plants it does cover.
]. It can be used as a chocolate substitute[
148
Title
Herbs of Greece.
Publication
 
Author
Niebuhr. A. D.
Publisher
Herb Society of America.
Year
1970
ISBN
-
Description
A pleasant little book about Greek herbs.
].

An edible gum is extracted from the seed, a substitute for Gum Tragacanth (see Astragalus species)[
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
]. A stabilizer and thickening agent, it can also be used as an egg substitute[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
,
142
Title
Plants Consumed by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Brouk. B.
Publisher
Academic Press
Year
1975
ISBN
0-12-136450-x
Description
Readable but not very comprehensive.
,
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. A widely used food additive, it has the Euro number E410[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. The gum is obtained from the endosperm, it is a polysaccharide comprised of mannose and galactose sugars. This gum has a high viscosity in solution with water, and is able to form very stable, viscous solutions in high dilution (1% or lower)[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
]. One hundred kilos of seeds can yield 20 kilos of pure, dry gum[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
105
Title
Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
Publisher
Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
Year
1976
ISBN
-
Description
The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
,
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
].

Medicinal

The pulp in the seedpods of carob is very nutritious and, due to its high sugar content, sweet-tasting and mildly laxative[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. However, the pulp in the pods is also astringent due to the presence of tannins and, used in a decoction, will treat diarrhoea and gently help to cleanse and also relieve irritation within the gut[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. 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[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. The seedpods are also used in the treatment of coughs[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
A flour made from the ripe seedpods is demulcent and emollient[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].

The seed husks are astringent and purgative[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].

The bark is strongly astringent[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

Traditionally, grafted carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua) have been interplanted with olives (Olea europaea), grapes (Vitis vinifera), almonds (Prunus armeniaca) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) in low-intensity farming systems in most producing countries in the Mediterranean[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].
The carob tree is often recommended for the reforestation of degraded coastal zones threatened by soil erosion and desertification. It also has been recommended for planting as a windbreak around orchards, and could even have some use for buffering noise from factories, roads and railways because of its dense foliage[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].

Other Uses

The gum obtained from the seeds has a wide range of uses in addition to food and medicine. It is used, for example, as an emulsifier in cosmetics, it is included in products for coeliacs because of its soothing effect upon the digestion, is used to thicken colours in the textile industry, and added to concrete mixes to strengthen solidification[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].

A flour made from the seedpods is used in the cosmetic industry to make face-packs[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].

Tannin is obtained from the bark and seedpods[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].

The wood is hard, close-grained and lustrous. Highly valued by turners for making utensils etc, it is also used for marquetry and walking sticks[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
89
Title
Flowers of the Mediterranean.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
Publisher
Hogarth Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0-7012-0784-1
Description
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
,
100
Title
Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1969
ISBN
0192176218
Description
An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
,
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].
The wood makes an excellent fuel and a slow-burning charcoal[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].

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 mid spring[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Germination is best at around 25°c, and 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.
Cultivated forms are propagated by means of grafting on to seedling rootstocks[
1332
Title
Carob Tree; Ceratonia siliqua
Publication
 
Author
Battle I. & Tous J.
Publisher
IPGRI; Gatersleben, Germany
Year
1997
ISBN
92-9043-328-X
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive book about the carob.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Ceratonia+siliqua>

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