- Author: Ben Faber
With drought and forecast for more of the same, it's time to think of alternative crops for our area. Pithecellobium dulce (translation: sweet monkey ear) may be a choice. Guamuchil is just one of the many names for this tree crop, including: monkeypod tree, camachile, and Madras thorn. The seeds and pods are edible; the tree is thorny and resistant to deer and with the bit of rain we get along the coast, can probably sustain itself with just water at establishment. This is a native tree of Mexico, but is grown world-wide, in fact a weedy tree in some tropical areas, like Hawaii. It will grow well in Southern California
The seedpod is sweet and sour and eaten raw. The fruit is eaten in Lain America and Southeast Asia, so there is a market in California, just need to figure out where it is and how to sell to those who currently find it comestible. Others may soon find the fruit delicious, as well.
If you aren't so adventuresome, other drought tolerant tree crops include fig, pomegranate, mulberry, cactus and jujube. All of which have their marketing issues, too.
images: http://chalk.richmond.edu/flora-kaxil-kiuic/p/pithecellobium_dulce.html; https://uforest.org/Species/P/Pithecellobium_dulce.php