Luther Burbank Coachella Agriculture Station

Moringa stenopetela

A far superior species compared to common Moringa (Moringa oliefera), with larger leaves, faster growth, and improved form.  Current large scale propagation to make this rare species widely available. Moringa leaves are extremely high in protein, vitamins, calcium and other minerals, also with medicinal qualities. One of the most nutritious vegetables of the world with high balanced protein and more calcium than milk. Young leaves and tender shoots used cooked only, for spinach, stew, soups, stir fry, etc.   Excellent for continuous four foot high coppiced hedgerow production where shoots are harvested every three weeks, and also agroforestry intercropping in the upper level.  An excellent multipuropse tree. Moringa oleifera trees also available. Currently found in many natural products for fresh leaves, protein powder, super food, and supplements. Utilized for climate change mitigation, and is highly heat resistant.

Cnidiscolous aconitifolius

Vigorous shrub or small tree growing in full sun in the hottest areas.  From Yucatan and Guatemala, Chaya is grown for its nutritious leaves and tender shoots, which also have medicinal qualities. Known as Mayan Spinach, it is high in minerals and protein. Grown in hedgerows kept at four feet high by continuous harvest of young leaves and shoots.  The plant is highly productive and hedgerows may be trimmed 4-6 times per season producing significant biomass, similar to Moringa. Used in mixed agroforestry at the mid level, and good for edible landscaping. The available variety is Chaya Mansa redonda, with tender broad leaves and no stinging hairs, found on other varieties.  Young leaves and tender shoot tips must be cooked for at least ten minutes. Used for spinach, stew, soups, stir fry, etc. The leaves and especailly the tender shoot tips have a sweet flavor. Commercial potential for super food powder, tea, and supplement use.

Gynura bicolor and Gynura procumbens

Vigorous groundcover vegetable well known for medicinal activities.  Eaten raw, mixed in salad, or cooked, the plants require shade during desert summers, and also are adapted to shade house and greenhouse cultivation for year round production.  Okinawan Spinach leaves are dark green with purple undersides, while the related Longevity Spinach is light green. Suitable for multi story agroforestry systems for use at the lower level.  Medicinal activities include glucose control, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant, among others.  Commercial potential for super food, fresh and supplement use, also edible landscape. Can be grown as an ornamental-edible houseplant.  Leaves are eaten raw in salad, or cooked as spinach, or in stew, soups, stir fry

Sauropus androgynus

Considered one of the finest tasting perennial vegetables, Sweet Leaf bush is an upright plant grown in low, coppiced hedgerows.  Growth is fast, with new shoots appearing one week after trimming. The leaves and tender shoots have a sweet, nutty flavor and can be used raw in moderation, and cooked in several ways. Shoot tips are considered a delicacy similar to asparagus.  Requires shade in the desert summer, and is suitable for shade house and greenhouse for year round cultivation, or in the mid level for agroforestry systems.   Commercial potential, especially for restaurant use or processing.  Small amounts may be eaten raw, the majority should be cooked.  Tender shoots and leaves can be used as a stand alone cooked vegetable, or in stew, soups, stir fry, etc.  

Alternanthera sissoo

A spreading, non-vining ground cover spinach from Brazil, with delicious tender cooked leaves, or used raw in salads. Creates a dense, spreading low carpet. Prefers summer shade in the desert, and suitable for multistory agroforestry systems at the ground level.  Also  can be grown under trees, and in the shade house or greenhouse for year round production.  Potential for edible landscaping, restaurant and specialty use. Suitable for use as an edible houseplant in sunny locations. Cooked only.  Leaves used as a very tender spinach, and in stew, soups, stir fry, etc. 

Abelmoschus manihot

Fast growing small bushy tree suitable for low hedgerow production.  Also known as Bele, the plant has  large, very tender and light leaves which are consumed raw or cooked, and can be used for wraps. Used also in salad, or cooked as spinach, or  in stew, soups, stir fry, etc. Requires summer shade in the desert and suitable for multi story agroforestry in the mid level, shade houses, greenhouses or under trees.   Several cultivars are available with diverse leaf shapes, growth habits, and leaf textures, including improved and named varieties. Commercial and edible landscape potential.

Ipomea aquatica

Exceptionally vigorous and highly poductive ground cover vine with very tender leaves and shoot tips. Grown in either water or soil, and more productive with soil cultivation.  Also called Water Spinach. Leaves may be consumed raw or cooked, and the shoot tips are used in a variety of ways.  The shoots, leaves and hollow stems are common in Thai food, as found in the dish, Ung Choy Tofu.  Leaves also used raw in salad, or cooked as spinach.  Leaves and stems for stew, soups, stir fry, etc. Requires shade in the desert summer, or as agroforestry under-story, or under trees. Also good for greenhouse culture year round.  Good commercial and edible landscape potential.

Coccinia grandis

The perennial cucumber is a vigorous strong vine requiring a trellis.  It produces 2-3 inch long cucumbers which are eaten raw or are especially good pickled. Unlike most members of the curcurbit family, the leaves are smooth and are also a used as a vegetable, raw in salad, or cooked as spinach, or in stew, soups, stir fry, etc. . Tender shoots are also consumed. Requires semi shade in the desert summer, and is suitable for use in multi level mixed agroforestry systems at mid level, shade houses and greenhouses for year round production.   Invasive potential in the wet tropics when using the non sterile cultivar.

Cymbopogon citratus

Perennial large grass to five feet, excellent for hedgerow production and highly desert adapted to full sun and the highest temperatures.  Fresh lower shoots and extracts are widely used commercially as a spice in Asian cooking, also having a number of medicinal activities.  Vigorous fast growth with no pests or diseases noted.  Lemon grass stems and the oil extracted from the plant is a commodity.  Commercial potential for fresh use and processing.

Murraya koenigii 

A small tree with highly aromatic leaves having great culinary importance as a spice throughout Asia and India.  Requires shade in the Desert Summer, and is suitable for low hedgerow use in multi level mixed agroforestry systems at the mid level, shade houses and greenhouses for year round production. Commercial potential as a new spice product with a novel flavor, and processing potential for extracts.  Leaves are used to flavor  stew, soups, lentils, stir fry, etc.