Rare plant seeds, roots, stems, leaves flowers scientific research, biotechnology,

Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis seed

Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis seed

LATIN NAME: SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS

COMMON NAME: Jojoba, Goat Nut, Deer Nut

The jojoba is one of the most remarkable and useful of the desert shrubs, and its thick, grey-green leaves, its drought tolerance and its large, oily seeds which produce a liquid wax similar to the whale oil have made it a plant of great economic importance across the warm, dry regions. It grows as a slow-growing, evergreen, dioecious shrub of the box family, reaching up to three metres or more, with the many branching, grey-barked stems bearing opposite, thick, oval, grey-green, leathery leaves and, in the spring, the small, yellow-green flowers, with the female plants bearing the large, oval, brown, oily seeds which contain the valuable liquid wax. It is a species of the flowering shrub, native to the dry deserts of the southwestern United States and the northern Mexico, while it has been cultivated in the warm, dry regions for its seeds, and it is known as the jojoba, the goat nut or the deer nut.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The jojoba has a real and distinguished place in research. It has been studied in the chemistry and the oil science, since the jojoba seeds produce a unique liquid wax which is remarkably similar to the sperm whale oil, and the researchers have examined the seeds, their oil and their composition, while the study of the jojoba oil and its uses has drawn attention in the international chemical and cosmetic press. The plant has also been studied in the agriculture and the crop science, since the jojoba is one of the most promising of the desert crops, and the researchers have examined its cultivation, its irrigation needs and its yield in the dry regions, while the study of the drought-tolerant crops has been of continuing interest. The species has also been studied in botany and the ecology, since it is a member of the box family and a key plant of the Sonoran desert, and its relationships, its drought tolerance and its role in the desert ecosystems have been examined, while the thick, grey-green leaves and the large, oily seeds of the jojoba have been of interest to the botanists and the agricultural scientists. For a shrub of such usefulness, the jojoba has a rich and distinguished record of research.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

To grow the Jojoba from seed, the jojoba is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub of the dry deserts and the warm regions, bearing the thick, grey-green leaves and the large, oily seeds which are prized for their oil. Its dense, evergreen growth gives a fine shelter to the creatures of the desert, and its deep roots help it to survive the long, dry periods, while its tolerance of the poor, sandy soil makes it a valuable plant for the dry regions. Its economic value is real and great: the jojoba is prized for its unique liquid wax used in the cosmetics, the lubricants and the pharmaceuticals, and its value has drawn attention in the international agricultural and chemical press, while the drought tolerance and the high-value oil have made it a promising crop for the warm, dry regions, and the shrub is a fine addition to the dry garden and the xeriscape. To raise the jojoba, sow the seeds in pots of sandy, open soil in a sunny, warm place, keep them gently watered, and grow the little shrubs on in the sun.

sow the seeds in pots of sandy, open soil in a sunny, warm place, keep the young jojoba gently watered, and grow the little shrubs on in the sun.

 

 

 

 

SYNONYMS: Buxus chinensis

LATIN NAME: Simmondsia chinensis

COMMON NAMES: Jojoba, Goat‑nut, Deer‑nut, Pignut

Simmondsia chinensis is a hardy evergreen shrub native to arid desert and semi‑desert zones of south‑western North America. Thick leathery grey‑green leaves clothe rigid multi‑branching bushes well‑adapted to intense sunlight and low seasonal rainfall. Small unassuming yellow‑green flowers emerge in spring. Being dioecious, individual plants bear either male or female blooms; pollinated female specimens develop hard seed capsules holding large oil‑rich brown seeds. This drought‑tolerant shrub excels for desert‑land restoration, dry‑garden plantings, and commercial specialty‑oil crop production. Seed‑raised stock builds robust field‑ready shrubs and preserves broad natural genetic variation within growing batches.

Growing jojoba from seed delivers distinct practical benefits. Seed‑originated shrubs produce deep‑reaching taproot systems that anchor securely in sandy desert soils. Seed sowing offers an accessible way to establish large plantation blocks when cutting‑propagated stock is limited. Natural variation within seed lots brings gentle differences in bush compactness and seed‑oil content among young plant groups.

Seed capsules ripen through late summer and early autumn. Collect capsules as they begin to split open. Extract large firm seeds and separate away dry capsule husks and plant chaff. Warm‑water soaking for 12‑24 hours supports smooth moisture uptake by seed tissues. Cold stratification is unnecessary for this warm‑arid‑climate species. Fresh, properly dried seed maintains strong vitality over multi‑year storage cycles.

Sow prepared seeds into grit‑heavy, sharply draining sandy‑loam substrate. Bury seeds at moderate depth matching roughly one‑and‑a‑half times seed thickness. Bright full sunlight supports steady seed‑activation performance. Maintain light consistent substrate moisture and strictly avoid water‑logged conditions. Under stable warm soil temperatures, vigorous seedlings push upward with encouraging energy.

Young jojoba seedlings unfold thick leathery foliage and steadily strengthen woody stems. Careful thinning eliminates crowding and reserves ample underground room for taproot expansion. Seedlings transplant smoothly into deep containers once several leaf pairs develop. Settled in open, sun‑drenched locations with excellent drainage, these seed‑raised shrubs grow slowly into well‑formed bushy specimens. Mature bushes produce abundant seed capsules loaded with valued jojoba wax, bring durable evergreen structure to arid‑zone landscapes, and deliver valuable raw material for cosmetic and industrial processing projects.

  The Jojoba shrub is native to Southwestern North America. It is the source of Jojoba Oil, & It is grown commercially for this. The plants produce 1/2 – 3/4″ oval, acorn-like fruit (also called a nut or the seed) that contain almost 50% oil. The oil is odorless so is often used in cosmetics, skin products, & pharmaceuticals. The oil has lots of other uses, including as a cooking oil, biodiesel fuel, & engine lubricant. This plant also has many traditional medicinal uses. Jojoba shrubs have long waxy evergreen grayish-silver leaves. They grow best in arid desert & semi-desert areas. The plants tolerate browsing, and deer, bighorn sheep, & livestock may enjoy nibbling on the foliage. The nuts are eaten by squirrels, rabbits, & large birds. The plants are dioecious, so both a male & female plant are needed to pollinate the fruit. The seeds of the Jojoba are harvested when they fall off the bush. Simmondsia chinensis, known as Jojoba, is a plant that is grown for the oil in its seeds. It is native to the southern states of the US and Mexico. It grows as a shrub from 2-3 metres tall. The leaves are leathery, blue-green, to 5-7cm long. Yellow flowers are followed by 2.5cm long berries. Jojoba oil is a well known anti-inflammatory, moisturiser and restorer and is extracted from the nuts of this shrub. It is beneficial in conditioning the skin, nails and hair and can be used in psoriasis and eczema, dandruff and warts with good results. Jojoba is often used as a base for conditioning oil preparations for the hair and nails. It also has potential use as both a biodiesel fuel for cars and trucks, as well as a biodegradable lubricant. Prefers a dry climate and can cope with mild frosts.  

Prev:
Next: