Ceratonia siliqua
| Ceratonia siliqua | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ceratonia siliqua (common name: 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 April[1]. 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.
Cultivation: Requires a very sunny position in any well-drained moderately fertile soil[1]. Does well in calcareous, gravelly or rocky soils[2][3]. Tolerates salt laden air[2]. 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][5][2][1].
This species is not very hardy in Britain but it succeeds outdoors in favoured areas of S. Cornwall[6], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c when in a suitable position[1]. 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[6]. Mature trees in a suitable environment can yield up to 400 kilos of seedpods annually[5]. There are named varieties with thicker pods[5][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[6][8].
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[1].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Rocky places near the sea shore[8].
Edibility: Seedpods - raw or ground into a powder[6][9][10][8][11]. The seedpods are filled with a saccharine pulp and can be eaten both green or dried[12]. 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[13] and 6% fat[10].
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[5][14]. It can be used as a chocolate substitute[15].
An edible gum is extracted from the seed, a substitute for Gum Tragacanth (see Astragalus species)[5]. A stabilizer and thickening agent[16][7], it is also used as an egg substitute[17][5][16].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[17][18][7].
Medicinal: The pulp in the seedpods of carob is very nutritious and, due to its high sugar content, sweet-tasting and mildly laxative[19]. 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[20][19]. 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[19]. The seedpods are also used in the treatment of coughs[20]. A flour made from the ripe seedpods is demulcent and emollient[9]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[9].
The seed husks are astringent and purgative[20].
The bark is strongly astringent[19]. A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[19].
Usage: A flour made from the seedpods is used in the cosmetic industry to make face-packs[9].
Tannin is obtained from the bark[9].
Wood - hard, lustrous. Highly valued by turners, it is also used for marquetry and walking sticks[9][17][8][13].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Corbetta, Francisco. The COmplete Book of Fruits and Vegetables. 1985.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Niebuhr, Alta. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America, 1970.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Brouk, Bohuslav. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press, 1975.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.