Plant · P-729

Argan

Sideroxylon spinosum

Argan is a slow-growing spiny evergreen tree reaching roughly 15 to 25 feet tall and 25 to 40 feet wide grown for the oil pressed from its seed kernel - prized in cooking and cosmetics and among the most expensive edible oils in the world. It thrives on poor rocky ground in full sun tolerates long drought once established and is killed by frost at or below about minus 2 C. It begins bearing fruit around five to six years old can keep producing for two to four centuries and responds well to coppicing where regrowth is wanted after cutting or grazing.