Description
Carob is widely cultivated for its edible pods, and as an ornamental tree in gardens.
The Ceratonia siliqua tree grows up to 15 m (49 ft) tall. The crown is broad and semispherical, supported by a thick trunk with brown rough bark and sturdy branches. Leaves are 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) long, alternate, pinnate, and may or may not have a terminal leaflet.
It is frost-tolerant to roughly 20 F (minus 7 C).The tree is native to North America, introduced and widely cultivated in Europe. It was probably introduced in India by the British while developing the hill stations, where it is now seen. The leaves are 10to25 cm long, pinnate with 9to19 oval leaflets, 2 to 5 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm broad. Leaflets are rounded at both the ends and notched at the tip.Most carob trees are dioecious, some are hermaphrodite. The male trees do not produce fruit. The trees blossom in autumn. The flowers are small and numerous, spirally arranged along the inflorescence axis in catkin-like racemes borne on spurs from old wood and even on the trunk (cauliflory); they are pollinated by both wind and insects.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | St Johns-bread, locust bean,locust-tree,carob tree,Ceratonia siliqua |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 30.00 to 50.00 feet |
| Flower Colour | Green |
| Bloom Time | May to June |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Once fully developed carob tree can withstand temperatures up to minus 7 C, but frost during flowering period can reduce or sometimes prevent fruiting. The tree is ideally grown in regions with a Mediterranean climate.
Carob care
The fresh carob tree seeds germinates quickly and easily. If you dont find fresh seeds you can grow it from dry seeds which is scarified and soaked in water until they double in size. They can be planted in spring or fall.
| Sunlight | :Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Keep soil moist throughout the growing season. |
| Soil | deep sandy soil |
| Temperature | 104 to 122 F |
| Fertilizer | Apply Any Organic fertilizer |
Carob special feature
Having the atomic number 6, every carbon atom has a total of six electrons. Two are in a completed inner orbit, while the other four are valence electrons,outer electrons that are available for forming bonds with other atoms.
The carbon atom s four valence electrons can be shared by other atoms that have electrons to share, thus forming covalent (shared-electron) bonds.
Carob uses
Medicinal Use:
- Carob improves digestionCarob lowers bad cholesterol level in the bloodCarob is used to treat diarrhea in children and adultsCarob can prevent cervical and lung cancersCarob has anti-oxidant properties that can help repair damaged cells
- Carob has anti-allergic, antibacterial, antiviral and analgesic action
- Carob can prevent anemia, treat cough and flu Carob is rich in phosphorous and calcium and is used to prevent and treat osteoclasis and osteoporosis
Culinary Use:
- Carob flour or carob powder, pure natural, either for baking or for making smoothies Et cetera, has its volume to weight measure equal to 103 grams per 1 cup which is 3
- 6 oz Net Wt/Cup volume (for the full list of all other measuring units of carob flour/powder choose carob in the flours main menu