Simmondsia chinensis (Link) C. Schneider

Common Name: Jojoba
Family: Simmondsiaceae Tieghm.

Description: Jojoba is a drought-resistant, evergreen shrub that may grow to 10 feet (3 m) or remain as a low mound 8 to 20 inches (20-50 cm) tall. Several stems arise from the root crown and branching is profuse.
Jojoba is dioecious. Female flowers are axillary and usually solitary. They may, however, occur in fascicles with up to 20 flowers. Male flowers are smaller than female flowers and are grouped in dense clusters. Pollen is wind dispersed.
Jojoba fruits are dehiscent capsules that are generally one-seeded but may contain up to three acornlike seeds. The seeds are light brown to black and are large, generally 0.6 to 1.2 inches (1.5-3.0 cm) long.
Jojoba may have several taproots that develop by forking below the root crown. The maximum depth of taproots is not known, but taproots have been observed at depths of 33 feet (10 m). Horizontal root growth does not occur except where subsurface strata prevent downward growth. Shallow or subsurface feeder roots and true rhizomes are not developed.
The life span of jojoba is over 100 years and may exceed 200 years.

Uses: Jojoba is grown for the liquid wax(oil) in its seeds; it is an extremely long straight-chain wax ester and is often used in cosmetics and fragrances; it also has potential use as a biodiesel fuel

Accession # 200300246
Source: Renate Bucher - Seed
Accession Date: 07-08-2003
Bench: 2213 - XER:Sonoran-Baja Deserts
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 2 confirmed on 02-22-2023

This accession has been observed in bloom on:

The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
Jojoba at Wikipedia. Last accessed on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
FEIS Database information Last accessed on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
Simmondsia chinensis at USDA Plants Database. Last accessed on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

data regenerated on Wed, 22 Feb 2023 11:27:02 -0500 [bcm v4.0]

Plant Biodiversity Conservatory and Research Core