1. Simmondsia Nuttall, London J. Bot. 3: 400, plate 16. 1844.
Jojoba, goatnut, pignut [For Thomas Williams Simmonds, d. 1804, English naturalist] Jojoba, goatnut, pignut [For Thomas Williams Simmonds, d. 1804, English naturalist]
Shrubs, indumentum of slender, mostly appressed, simple hairs. Leaves jointed near base; blade secondary veins steeply ascending from near base, usually basally distinct, distally obscure. Inflorescences: staminate terminal, often pseudoaxillary (terminal but overtopped by lateral branch and appearing axillary), pedunculate, 10–20-flowered; pistillate axillary, pedunculate, 1(–3)-flowered; bracts present. Pedicels present or absent. Staminate flowers: sepals oblanceolate. Pistillate flowers: sepals persistent, spreading, triangular-ovate, enlarged in fruit. Capsules nutlike, ovoid or ellipsoid, usually ± obtusely 3-angled; pericarp tough-leathery. Seeds ovoid. x = 13.
Species 1: sw United States, nw Mexico; desert and semidesert areas; introduced in other similar habitats in North America, South America, Asia, Australia.
