The regal carob is an evergreen, spreading tree with a broad, semi-spherical crown. Sturdy trunks and branches have rough, grey-brown bark. Leaves are alternate and pinnate, at times with a terminal leaflet. Carob trees are dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on different trees. Only female trees produce pods, but male trees are needed for pollination. Carob trees flower in autumn; numerous small catkins are borne on spurs of old wood, and arranged in a spiral along the floral axis. The elongated, leguminous pods may be straight or curved and take one year to develop. The ripe pods eventually fall to the ground, from September to November.