Description

This unusual shrub grows in the arid regions of the US Southwest and northern Mexico. In California it grows in the Peninsular ranges and Sonoran Desert. It grows fairly rapidly to a dense round shrub, with round, gray-green leaves. The leaves are somewhat leathery and superficially resemble those of some manzanita species such as bigberry manzanita, Arctostaphylos glauca. The small yellow flowers appear in the spring. Jojoba is dioecious, i.e. distinct male and female plants. With male and female plants growing close together, the goatnuts will develop on the female plants. The nuts are large and somewhat like acorns in appearance. The nuts contain an oil that has been used for skin care since pre-Columbian times. Jojoba is very stable in appearance, and handles hot and dry conditions without noticeable dormancy. It should be avoided, however, where hard frosts are common.