Simmondsia chinensis, or Jojoba, is a native perennial shrub found on dry hillslopes, outwash slopes and along arroyos in gravelly or rocky soils from 1,500-5,000 ft (457-1524m); flowers February-May. Distribution: s AZ, s CA; Sonora and Baja Calif., MEX. Notes: Opposite, entire, leathery leaves and large single seeded capsule are distinctive. Often forms dense thickets. Ethnobotany: Used for sores, as a cathartic, as a coffee like beverage, the nuts were made into cakes, eaten fresh, and made into a nut butter. (From SEINet).