Bomen-trees Ceratonia siliqua

• Article number: CERSIL02

Ceratonia siliqua originates from Arabia, but is now a very common tree in the countries around the Mediterranean.
This plant first grows into a reasonable tree in those countries as a shrub. This tree is relatively difficult to obtain and is therefore only an asset for the collector.
The name Ceratonia siliqua (later produced the weight unit of Karat) for the use of the seeds by pharmacists and jewelers 1500 years ago in ancient Greece.

Every seed weighs, regardless of the size or shape, 0.2 grams. It was used as a unit of weight at the time.
A legend tells that John the Baptist in the wilderness would have kept alive with the fruits of this plant. Anyway, a plant with a decent history.
The leaves are round and shiny, the Ceratonia siliqua is also an evergreen plant. He does not get really nice flowers and therefore he is not really interesting.
However, long-lasting fruits appear on this plant that are reminiscent of pods and are edible when they are brown.

The seeds are used as substitutes for cocoa, cattle feed and syrup and distilled drinks are made in Southern Europe.
The branches and trunk of this tree become increasingly erratic and knotter as he gets older.
The Ceratonia siliqua can tolerate some frost and in a sheltered spot in the garden it can be a success, but if more than a light frost then heat up with a light tube and apply insulation.
Also as a tub plant, this is a grateful plant, used by the bonsai lover for special pruning.
Winter hardiness zone 9a (-6ºC).