Simmondsia chinensis C.K.Schneid.

Shrubs to 2(–3) m, mostly densely branched; young branches hairy. Leaves dull pale green or gray-green, sometimes glaucous; petiole 0–2 mm; blade elliptic or oblong-ovate, (1.5–)2–5.5 × (0.5–)1–3 cm, thick-leathery (often becoming wrinkled when dry), base acute to obtuse, apex rounded, obtuse, or acute, surfaces sparsely hairy to glabrate. Staminate inflorescences: peduncles 0.2–2 cm, recurved; cymes 1–2 cm diam. Pistillate inflorescences: peduncle (pedicel in solitary flowers) 0.2–2 cm, recurved; bracts 3–4, linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, 2–10 mm. Pedicels: staminate 0–2 mm, pistillate usually absent. Staminate flowers greenish yellow; sepals 2–4 mm, densely hairy abaxially; stamen filaments 0.1–0.3 mm; anthers 1.5–2 mm. Pistillate flowers pale green, pendent; sepals (in fruit) triangular-ovate, basal 1/2 appressed, distal 1/2 abruptly narrowed and spreading, 1–2 cm, surfaces densely hairy; styles exerted. Capsules shiny greenish brown, 15–25 × 9–11 mm, apex rounded, usually apiculate. Seeds reddish brown or brown, 13–17 mm. 2n = 26.

It grows in desert regions. It needs a hot climate and well-drained dry soil. It needs full sun. It is very drought tolerant. It can tolerate frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-500 mm. It can grow in alkaline soils. It can grow in arid places. It grows in deserts. It grows in places with high heat and low moisture. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

A coffee like drink is made from the ground seeds. The seeds are also eaten raw, parched or roasted. They are served with butter and salt. The roasted ground nuts are also mixed with the yolk or a hard boiled egg and boiled with water, sugar and a vanilla bean to make a chocolate like drink. The oil from the seed is used as salad oil and cooking oil.

Plants can be grown from seed.