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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