Carob

A tree of the species, Ceratonia siliqua, that is native to the Mediterranean regions, it produces a bean with brown sweet pulp, today much used as a health food and substitute for those who are intolerant or allegic to chocolate.

The carob is not specifically mentioned in the Bible but is identified with the keration ('pods') that the prodigal son—so utterly destituted after squandering his fortune—longed to eat which the pigs were consuming (Lk 15:16). Some commentators believe that the "locusts" which was part of the diet of John the Baptist (Matt 3:4) was not the insect famed for its destructive ravages but another name for carob; hence the common name for it, St John's Bread.

The bean is also well known for its small seeds that are fairly consistent in weight. The seeds were, therefore, used in ancient times as weights for weighing out small amounts. From that practice comes the modern habit of measuring diamonds and precious metal in carats.

The tree can grow up to a height of about 15m, and the pods, which ripen in summer, to a length of 10-30 cm.