Simmondsia chinensis

Common Name: Jojoba

Family: Simmondsiaceae

Country of Origin: southwestern North America

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

Accession Date: 2003-07-08 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 3301

Quantity: 1

Source: Renate Bucher - Seed

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: core eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Simmondsiaceae