California brushlands, or otherwise called chaparral habitat, are zones of mystery to many folks. However, many interesting and colorful plant species can be found there. Purple Nightshade (Solanum xanti), found in cismontane brush or woods up to 4000' elevation, is one of those plants that brightens the chaparral landscape and is commonly known as "chaparral nightshade". It is a perennial herb or subshrub that bears an umbel-shaped inflorescence with many purple-blue flowers complemented by bright yellow anthers that gather at the center.
As with most other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) all parts of the plants are poisonous including the pea-sized purple berries. Edible members of this family group include eggplant and potato.
