Ceratonia siliqua or the Carob Tree is a large broadly domed tree.
The trunk and branches are covered with nodules of old flower spurs or their scars.
The leaves are large deep green and compound (made up of many leaflets)
Most trees are dioecious (male and female flowers are on separate plants). The large catkin-like flowers are borne on spurs growing along the branches and trunk. Only the female tree will produce fruit.
As with all Fabaceae the tree produces long, leathery brown pods that take up to a year to fully develop and drop to the ground. The dried pod is ground into a fine powder and used as an alternative to chocolate.
The carob tree is not only grown for it fruit but also makes a useful shade tree along streets or in parks or gardens. Many people would rather plant a male tree and avoid problems created by dropping fruit.