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Jojoba
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Closeup of a ripe Simmondsia chinensis, or jojoba, seed still attached to the stem, surrounded by thick, oval-shaped green leaves in a natural outdoor setting.
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Also called:
Goat Nut
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Closeup of a ripe Simmondsia chinensis, or jojoba, seed still attached to the stem, surrounded by thick, oval-shaped green leaves in a natural outdoor setting.
jojoba Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis).

Jojoba

plant
Also known as: Simmondsia chinensis, goat nut
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Jojoba, (Simmondsia chinensis), leathery-leaved shrub in the box family (Buxaceae), native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the capsules of which yield jojoba oil. The stiff-branched plant, which grows to a height of up to 2 m (7 feet), is cultivated as hedge material, substituted for boxwood in arid areas. It is also grown in limited but expanding commercial quantities in southern California for the oil, which is equal to sperm oil in quality. Jojoba oil is found in a variety of cosmetic products, such as soaps, shampoos, and hair conditioners, where it is believed to have certain restorative effects.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.