Jojoba (goatnut) is a medium-sized shrub found on dry rocky slopes in lower elevations. The leaves are dull green in color and quite leathery. The flowers are greenish in color and the brown fruit resembles a small acorn. This plant closely resembles the manzanita of the foothill environment.

Seeds were ground and used to make a coffee-like beverage by the Indians and early Californians. The oil in the seeds may prove to be of commercial value because it has the same thermally stable, lubricating characteristics of spermaceti whale oil. Separate male and female plants are characteristic of this species