Guayule is a desert shrub native to the southwestern United States and Mexico that has been studied for its potential as a source of natural rubber. The plant produces latex in its stems and roots, which can be harvested and processed into rubber as an alternative to traditional rubber sources like the rubber tree. Research on guayule focuses on breeding and cultivation practices to improve rubber yields, as well as developing more efficient processing methods for extracting rubber. Additionally, guayule is being studied for its potential as a sustainable crop that can be grown in arid regions without competing with food crops for resources.