The Argan Tree

The Argan tree is found mostly in southern Morocco and some parts of Algeria. It is a thorny, weather resistant fruit producing tree. It has a prominent place in the Moroccan civilization heritage. It was named Argania Spinosa in the early 20th century. Argan tree can live hundreds of years, 150 to 200 years according to an estimate.

History of Argan Tree

Once found in entire North African regions, Argan tree is now found in a few hundred thousand hectares in Southern Moroccan regions like Agadir and Atlas mountains. It is estimated to be millions of years old tree. It was mostly part of the life of Berber tribes a decade or so ago, but it is widely used in manufacturing many health related items now.

Habitat of Argan

Hot, dry weather and chalky soil rich in lime are the kind of circumstances that are suitable for the growth of Argan. There is very low average rainfall in those areas of Morocco where Argan is found. But it can capture and absorb moisture necessary for its survival from deep within the soil due to its deeply penetrated roots. Total area where Argan is found today is call Argania Forest.

Anatomy of Argan

Argan is very much like Olive tree. It has a thorny, rough and twisted stem. Its stem is short, but its branches can attain the height of 30 to 35 feet. Its oval shaped leaves are small in size. As said earlier that its roots penetrate deep into the soil to absorb moisture necessary for its life because of hot dry climate of its habitat. Its branches are so designed that goats can climb upto to the top of the tree.

Anatomy of Argan Fruit

It takes about one year for the fruit of Argan tree to ripen. Ripened green olive like dry and black fruits become useable and fall from tree in June and July. Its fruit is a layered fruit with three main layer: outer layer, middle layer and inner layer. Seeds are preserved inside the inner layer while outer layer is peel. Nuts inside the fruit are actually used for making oil. Goats also feed on fruits of Argan.

Uses of Argan

It is often used as food for horses and farm animals in some parts of Morocco. It is also used as a source of fuel by Berbers. Its timber is also used by them for other purposes. However the most important benefit of Argan tree is the Argan Oil extracted out of the seeds of Argan fruit. Cosmetic Argan oil is beneficial to human health, skin, nails and hair. It does some of the functions that no other cosmetic product in the world does.

Future of Argan tree

Conversion of forests into farmland and ever growing need of firewood has done great harm to Argania Forest. Vast swathes of Argania Forest have been cleared in the last four to five decades. Worst side of the picture is that it is not easy to cultivate or grow Argan trees. But UNESCO, a UN agency has intervened to save this unique and very useful specie of plants. Growing fame and demand of Argan oil which is extracted out of Argan fruit are also very hopeful signs for the preservation of this amazing plant.