Scientific Name: Simmondsia chinensis
?Evergreen shrub native to the Sonoran Desert
?Leaves are browsed by deer, javelina and bighorn sheep.
?Squirrels, rodents, and birds eat the nuts.
?Even though many animals consume the seeds, few rely on jojoba nuts: only pocket mice can digest the waxy coating.
?O?odham make a paste from the nuts to treat burns.
?Jojoba is a very economically important plant. The oil from the nut serves as an industrial lubricant that rivals sperm whale oil.
?Jojoba oil is also used in health and beauty product because it closely resembles human body oils.

Photo: Taken at the Riparian Preserve at the Gilbert Water Ranch, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.

To return to species list, close or minimize this window.