I just found out about this plant and it's perfect for the inland empire. Moringa is often called the miracle plant because it is highly nutritious and every part of the plant is edible other than the bark. It grows extremely fast growing several feet per year and will start fruiting in the first year after it is planted from seed. The reason it is perfect is that it only requires 10 inches of rain per year, loves heat and can grow in poor soils. I plan to plant 20-30 trees and use them to make mulch as well as food for us and the chickens. When the soil has improved to the point we can grow other things, I'll thin them out and keep a couple.
You can read more about this amazing plant, at wikipedia.
