EPPO Global Database

• EPPO Code: CEQSI
• Preferred name: Ceratonia siliqua
• Authority: Linnaeus

Native to Mediterranean (except Southeast), Macaronesia, Iran. A long-lived robust and persistent tree, planted for its large edible seeds, which provided a starvation food in the desert (as for St John the Baptist). Still used in bread-flour mixtures. Seeds originally used as weights (hence, the term "carat").  Cultivated in Eastern and Southern Africa, Pakistan, India, China, Mexico, Peru, Australia (South Australia, New South Wales).