Carob

Carob tree and carob seeds

Description

A small evergreen tree, Ceratonia siliqua, native to the Mediterranean region. Carob trees produce large seed pods which contain high amounts of an edible carbohydrate mucilage called Locust bean gum. The wood is hard and strong. Carob wood was used for furniture and cabinets.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Ceratonia siliqua; caroubier (Fr.); algarrobo (Esp.); alfarrobeira (Port.); carrubo (It.); locust; St. John's Bread

Physical and Chemical Properties

Pods = 7.5-30 centimeters long

Resources and Citations

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: Carob. Retrieved May 25, 2003.

• Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technologies, Paul Nicholson, Ian Shaw (eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000 Comment: R.Gale, P.Gasson, N.Hepper, G.Killen, "Wood", p. 334-371.