JOJOBA (Simmondsia chinensis)

Jojoba is a woody evergreen shrub with leathery leaves. It is common on rocky or gravelly slopes in the mid elevations of the Sonoran Desert, among other shrubs, saguaro and tebbybear chollas (image below).

The leaves of jojoba charactersitically are held upright so that they are least exposed to the intensity of midday sun. Jojoba is a dioecious species - with separate plants bearing male and female flowers.

The single flowers of female plants (above) have prominent sepals which look like leaves.

The flowers of male plants (above) are borne in clusters.

Fertilisation is achieved by wind pollination and leads to the production of acorn-like nuts.

These fruits contain up to 50% (total weight) of an oil (liquid wax) which has significant commercial value as an industrial lubricant (in place spermwhale oil). It is also used in cosmetics and shampoos. For this reason, jojoba has been subjected to intensive breeding programmes to improve its agricultural potential and is now grown commercially as an agricultural crop.

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