Ceratonia siliqua
Carob Tree
Description
This bushy, evergreen large tree can be trained as a hedge or as single stemmed tree. It can grow to 40' tall or be kept low as an informal hedge. During spring, red, fragrant flowers appear. Fragrance is considered unpleasant. Following bloom period, 3" long green pods appear changing to brown. These pods drop causing litter. Bark is dark brown and rough. Pods contain carob, which is edible. This is a hardy, long lived tree, tolerating smog and poor soil. It can be planted in coastal areas or in warm inland valleys.