In the 60’s the United States military studied the Jojoba. They were seeking a substitute for Sperm Whale Oil for NASA’s Apollo project. Jojoba oil had the very same viscosity as Sperm Whale oil. Since the 60’s the Sperm Whale has been protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Oil from the Jojoba plant was used by NASA as a lubricant in the Apollo Program. Jojoba has the distinction of landing on the moon!
The plant’s earthly description is:
Jojoba is an evergreen shrub that offers a dense border or windbreak in our gardens. Jojoba can grow up to 15’, has deep roots, and can live up to 200 years.
The plant is either male, producing wind-born pollen, or female, producing flowers followed by fruit and then nuts, The O’odham treated burns with an antioxidant salve made from a paste of the jojoba nut and ate the nuts when hunting to fend off hunger.
From the beans, the indigenous people made a coffee-like drink. Use care, it’s a diuretic! Today, Jojoba oil is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and culinary applications.
An adaptation method the plant employs allows it to turn its leaves on a 90-degree angle to the earth, thus minimizing the leaf’s surface area that is exposed to our sizzling sun cutting down water loss.
The Jojoba shrub is a proven winner in our desert climate and should be used more often.
By Carol Parrott. Carole is the President of Scottsdale Garden Club, a master gardener, a National Flower Show Accredited Judge, and a Landscape Design Consultant.
