Fruit of argan tree
Argan is a tree that is endemic to the semi-desert Sous valley of southwestern Morocco. The nuts are cold pressed to produce argan oil, which is used to treat hair and skin.
Names
Scientific
Sideroxylon spinosum
Synonym
Argania sideroxylon
Argania spinosa
English
Argan
Argania
Dutch
Arganboom
Arganie
French
Arganier
German
Arganbaum
Arganie
Taxonomy
Order
Ericales
Family
Sapotaceae
Genus
Sideroxylon
Species
Sideroxylon spinosum (Argan)
Basic information and facts
Origin:
Morocco
Distribution:
Southwestern Morocco
Annual, biennial, or perennial:
Argan trees can get 200 years old.
Plant:
Argan is a thorny tree with gnarled trunks. The crown is wide spreading.
Flowers
Small flowers with five pale yellow-green petals.
Leaves:
Small oval leaves, 2 to 4 cm long, with a rounded apex.
Fruits:
Fruits are 2 to 4 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm broad. They have a thick, bitter peel which covers the pulpy pericarp. Inside is a hard nut, which contains one or sometimes more, small seeds. Seeds are rich in oil. The fruit takes over a year to mature.
Climate and weather:
Argan trees can tolerate extreme heat (over 50°C), dry conditions and poor soil.
Height:
Argan trees can reach 8 to 10 m high.
Uses:
Seeds are used to produce argan oil. Argan oil is produced by co-operatives
of women in the southwestern parts of Morocco.
Argan trees are also a forage for sheep, goats, camels and cattle.
Crop categories
Arid crops
Mediterranean crops
Minor crops
Subtropical crops
Vegetable oils
Wild-harvested crops
Pictures
Argan fruit
Bottles of Argan oil
Argan tree