CERATONIA SILIQUA EJEMPLARES

Botanical Name: Ceratonia siliqua
Common Names: Algarrobo, Carob Tree
Mature Size: 15–50 feet (5–15 meters) in height, 20–30 feet (6–9 meters) in spread
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates poor, calcareous, rocky, and sandy substrates
Water Needs: Low; highly drought-tolerant once established
Foliage: Dense, evergreen, dark green pinnate leaves with a leathery texture
Flowers: Small, red to greenish flowers that appear in late summer or early fall, often without petals
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Uses:
Ornamental Tree: Ceratonia siliqua is valued for its broad, spreading canopy and rich evergreen foliage, making it ideal for Mediterranean-style gardens and public landscapes.

Xeriscaping: Suitable for water-efficient gardens, it thrives in arid and coastal environments, providing shade and aesthetic appeal with minimal maintenance.

Edible Pods: Widely cultivated for its sweet, nutritious seed pods (carob), which are used as a natural sweetener and chocolate substitute in culinary applications.

Benefits:
Drought Resistance: Exceptionally adapted to hot, dry climates; it flourishes with little to no supplemental watering once established.
Low Maintenance: Robust and long-lived, this species resists pests and diseases and requires minimal pruning or care.
Ecological Value: Its flowers provide nectar for insects, and the dense canopy offers habitat and shade for wildlife.
Soil Improvement: Fixes nitrogen indirectly and stabilizes soils, contributing to erosion control in degraded areas.

Ceratonia siliqua is a resilient, multi-functional tree that combines ornamental value with ecological and agricultural benefits. Its graceful structure, evergreen foliage, and edible fruit make it a timeless choice for sustainable landscaping in dry and coastal regions.