Framed Guayule Shrub Depiction

During World War II products made from natural rubber were in limited supply. Guayule, a native plant of the southwest United States, proved to be high in latex. Under the guidance of Dr. Robert Emerson, a faculty member at the California Institute of Technology at Pasadena, waste cuttings and seeding culls of guayule plants were delivered to Manzanar. The project employed 23 nursery men and 3 internee chemists.

The top image illustrates shrub, inset of leaf types, and measurements. The bottom image illustrates characteristics of six guayule strains with measurements. Dr. Emerson’s son noted that the print was hand-colored by Manzanar internee artist Kango Takamura.