This small tree has a short reddish brown trunk with upright twisted branches that form a rounded crown. It has divided leaves with glossy dark green oval leaflets and the small flowers appear on old wood during spring followed by a blackish pod.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11 

Ceratonia siliqua is naturally found in Syria in but is cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region. It tolerates most well drained fertile soils that are tending alkaline and grows in an open sunny position preferring hot dry summers. It is moderately salt and drought tolerant but is frost tender. 

Carob is grown for its rounded habit and for its fruit. It is planted in parks and gardens as a small shade tree or grown commercially for its fruit. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions establishing in 3 to 5 years and is long lived. This is a small tree is also grown to attract birds and is important in the production of honey. The pods and leaves are used as livestock fodder and the sweet pulp of the fruit is eaten by humans. ID 2566

Ceratonia (SER-a-TOH-nee-a)  siliqua (SIL-ee-kwa)

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)