Ceratonia siliqua
Locust bean
Ceratonia siliqua, commonly known as the carob tree, is a resilient Mediterranean evergreen prized for its nutrient-dense pods. Beyond its culinary uses, it offers significant medicinal potential. Rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber, carob is traditionally used to support digestive health, manage blood sugar, and provide essential nutritional support.
- Scientific name: Ceratonia siliqua
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Ceratonia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ceratonia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Ceratonia siliqua, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is called 长角豆 (zh), while in Berber (Tamazight), it is referred to as caroubî (wa). In Poland, the species is known as szarańczyn strąkowy (pl), and in the Basque Country, it is called algarrobo (eu). Finally, in French, the plant is commonly known as caroubier (fr).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 长角豆 | Wikidata |
| wa | caroubî | Wikidata |
| pl | szarańczyn strąkowy | Wikidata |
| eu | algarrobo | Wikidata |
| fr | caroubier | Wikidata |
| arz | خروب | Wikidata |
| he | חרוב | Wikidata |
| af | johannesbroodboom | Wikidata |
| oc | carrobièr | Wikidata |
| hu | szentjánoskenyérfa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Ceratonia siliqua, exhibits a specific geographical presence across several European regions. In Middle Europe, its distribution can be identified within Germany. Moving toward the coast, it is found throughout various parts of Southwestern Europe. This includes its presence in the Baleares and Corse islands. Additionally, the species is widely distributed across the mainland areas of France and Portugal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Ceratonia siliqua, is a versatile evergreen that utilizes various components for its medicinal and nutritional value. The dark green, pinnate leaves are a defining feature of its foliage, while the reproductive cycle involves the dispersal of fine pollen grains to facilitate fertilization. Once matured, the tree produces distinctive, elongated carob pods that are highly valued in both culinary and herbal applications. Whether studied as a single pod or harvested in large quantities as pods, these structures serve as the primary source of the plant's bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pollen grains | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pods | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pod | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carob pods | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| all parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ceratonia siliqua has 49 reported phytochemicals identified across 73 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, polyphenols, gallic acid, tannins, quercetin.
- Total chemicals
- 49
- Scientific sources
- 73
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| polyphenols | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| gallic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| locust bean gum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricitrin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Camphor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ceratonia siliqua has 14 reported activities identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ceratonia siliqua has 29 reported medicinal uses identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, diarrhea, male infertility, Candida albicans, DNA damage.
- Total uses
- 29
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| male infertility | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroesophageal reflux disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiarrheal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |