| Argan | |
| Argania spinosa |
Shrubby tree grown for its almond-sized fruits containing large seeds which contain a highly esteemed oil. The oil is used much like olive oil, and has a similar fat content to olive oil.
Description: Shrubby, thorny tree growing to 30ft, but often remaining much smaller. In its natural range, goats and foraging animals eat the fruits, depositing the hard-shelled seeds in their waste. Seeds are then collected, and later pressed to obtain the valuable argan oil (which is sold for up to 10 times the price of olive oil).
Hardiness: Hardy to the 20's.
Growing Environment: The argan tree is highly tolerant of drought, high heat, and poor soil conditions. Grow in full sun.
Propagation: By seeds.
Uses: Seeds are pressed to obtain argan oil, an expensive and highly useful cooking oil--popular in Morocco, and used much like olive oil. When cooking with the oil, it is said to impart a subtle nutty flavor to foods.
Native Range: Native to southwestern Morocco.