Prosopis alba (Banana Carob)

Prosopis alba (Banana Carob)
Banana Carob Tree, White Carob Tree

The white carob tree is a small or medium-sized tree with feathery foliage that inhabits the drier regions of the Andean foothills in Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile between 800 and 3000 m (3000 and 10000 ft.). The taxonomy of this species is very confusing; forms and varieties are so numerous that some authorities believe them to be different species. The tree has been cultivated for thousands of years. Of the many known variants, the so-called “banana carob” is one of the best. Mature fruits are easily as sweet as a banana. The fruits dry on the tree and are the basis of a sugary flour which is produced by pounding the dry fruits. They are also eaten as a snack. The tree is very fast growing and nearly bullet proof in cultivation. It is best suited for drier climates in USDA zones 9 to 11. Seeds germinate quickly but should be scarified before sowing.

germination comments by our visitors
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Also see plant cultivation comments below.

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plant cultivation comments by our visitors
Also see germination commnets above.

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If you wish to read more on palm cultivation, we highly recommend Ornamental Palm Horticulture by Timothy K. Broschat and Alan W. Meerow, available in our bookshop.

Ratings and comments reflect individual experiences and the views of our visitors. They do not necessarily describe the most appropriate methods, nor are they necessarily valid for all seeds or plants of this species. Germination and plant cultivation success depends on many different factors; nevertheless, these experiences will hopefully aid you in your effort to get the best germination results from our seeds and the best growth results from your plants.

We recommend:

The Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms
by Robert Lee Riffle, Paul Craft, Scott Zona

2nd edition
Completely revised and updated
Hardcover - 528 pages
11 x 8.5 inches

Our rating:

Suitable for: all

The Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms is the definitive account of all palms that can be grown for ornamental and economic use. Palms are often underutilized as a result of their unfamiliarity—even to tropical gardeners. To help introduce these valuable plants to a new audience, the authors have exhaustively documented every genus in the palm family.
825 species are described in detail, including cold hardiness, water needs, height, and any special requirements. Generously illustrated with more than 900 photos, including photos of several palm species that have never before appeared in a general encyclopedia, The Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms is as valuable as an identification guide as it is a practical handbook. Interesting snippets of history, ethnobotany, and biology inform the text and make this a lively catalog of these remarkable plants.

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