Carob
Ceratonia siliqua
Family Fabaceae(=Leguminosae)
Maltese name Sigra tal Harrub
Habitats Maquis, Afforestation
Evergreen tree growing to about 10m. Leaves compound-pinnate. Flowers without petals, in small inflorescences carried on the older branches, appearing at the same spot year after year. Male and female flowers occur on different trees, the pods or locust beans, forming only on female trees. Blooms in autumn, when the strong scent of the male flowers fills the air.
Grows in maquis and in valleys, in cultivated areas and close to rural buildings. Common
