I like the suggestion about strawberries, they are forest plants. But they suffer from Phytophthora sp., Verticillium wilt and could develop inoculum in the soil. Maybe wild strawberries are a better option.

What about <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Cucurbita foetidissima.

https://wnmu.edu/academic/nspages/gilaflora/cucurbita_foetidissima.html.

I found by chance this plant grows for years in very poor soil and obviously survived hot and dry summers, as well as cold winters (-10/-15C at least, which happens in our region). It is low, and vigorous in growth though should not be very competitive about nutrients due to the small fruits in comparison to other Cucurbits. Leaves are narrow, leather-like, waxy and I assume they save well water from ET.

It is perennial and can be periodically and very easily mowed to prevent fruit ripening and self-sown new plants from spreading without any control. The tubers will produce new long vines, especially if irrigated. Seems to be poisonous and used for soaps so it is hardly attractive for any animals. As a Cucurbitaceae species should be a quite mycorrhyzal plant (remember “The three sisters”). The negative side could be the big tubers formed and …maybe it will climb up the trees?? This I guess was 2-4 yrs old tuber…