Jojoba- Simmondsia Chinensis
Simmondsia Chinenses is more often referred to as jojoba, and is valued for the oil that can be extracted from its seeds. The oil is waxy and mimics human sebum, a naturally secreted oil, making a useful moisturizer as it lowers the amount of sebum produced by human skin. This quality is why jojoba oil is popular for cosmetic use in both hair and facial products, in addition to being used by itself as a moisturizer. However, it’s commercial success is cause to investigate the ecology of the jojoba plant, as well as the ecological impact of commercial growth and harvesting.
Simmondsia Chinensis is a desert shrub, native to Arizona, southern California and Mexico, (Matthews) however, the cultivation of this plant has brought it to places like Argentina, Australia, Israel, and Peru. Jojoba prefers warmer temperatures, dry open …show more content…
Jojoba is a hardy plant in its mature state and able to withstand a variety of challenging conditions, however in the germination stage and the first few years of growth the plant is extremely susceptible to cold temperatures and dry soil and can be killed off easily. Additionally, the seed is likely to stay dormant for long periods of time until conditions are right for germination. (Matthews) Species in the desert are already pushed to their physiological limit, and a shift in any direction could seriously threaten the species that live there. (McDermott) The plantation style of jojoba cultivation in places like South America and Australia would contribute to, and would be disrupted greatly by climate change. If a mass die off happened in these areas. The already stressed desert would lose mass amounts of biotic factors that keep the ecosystem balanced. The risk of losing any desert plants, not just jojoba, has the potential to impact all life that subsists in the
Simmondsia Chinenses is more often referred to as jojoba, and is valued for the oil that can be extracted from its seeds. The oil is waxy and mimics human sebum, a naturally secreted oil, making a useful moisturizer as it lowers the amount of sebum produced by human skin. This quality is why jojoba oil is popular for cosmetic use in both hair and facial products, in addition to being used by itself as a moisturizer. However, it’s commercial success is cause to investigate the ecology of the jojoba plant, as well as the ecological impact of commercial growth and harvesting.
Simmondsia Chinensis is a desert shrub, native to Arizona, southern California and Mexico, (Matthews) however, the cultivation of this plant has brought it to places like Argentina, Australia, Israel, and Peru. Jojoba prefers warmer temperatures, dry open …show more content…
Jojoba is a hardy plant in its mature state and able to withstand a variety of challenging conditions, however in the germination stage and the first few years of growth the plant is extremely susceptible to cold temperatures and dry soil and can be killed off easily. Additionally, the seed is likely to stay dormant for long periods of time until conditions are right for germination. (Matthews) Species in the desert are already pushed to their physiological limit, and a shift in any direction could seriously threaten the species that live there. (McDermott) The plantation style of jojoba cultivation in places like South America and Australia would contribute to, and would be disrupted greatly by climate change. If a mass die off happened in these areas. The already stressed desert would lose mass amounts of biotic factors that keep the ecosystem balanced. The risk of losing any desert plants, not just jojoba, has the potential to impact all life that subsists in the