Horticultural Aspects of Jojoba

Abstract

Jojoba (pronounced "hohoba") is the common name of a desert shrub indigenous over a large area of the arid southwestern part of the United States. Its botanical name is Simmondsia chinensis, Link (Schneid). The brown nut-like fruits contain about 50% liquid wax with unique and valuable chemical qualities (4). This substance is easily hydrogenated to a hard, white, crystalline wax, which has many uses including substitution for some of the hard waxes now imported. Exhaustive studies by research chemists indicate that if cultural methods can be worked out, there may be a market for the product which can be produced on thousands of acres of foothill lands with rainfall from 10 to 18 inches (3). Where rainfall is less than 10 inches some irrigation may be needed for profitable yields. Mature plants endure temperatures as low as 15 degrees F. Young plants are more tender although there is considerable variation in cold hardiness among seedlings.