Nightshade Family 

Purple Nightshade 

All year

Chaparral

 Solanaceae 

Solanum umbelliferum 

"Quieting. Narcotic properties"

"Flowers in umbels (like parasols)"
The black shiny fruit of this and other nightshades contain solanine, a poison. The berries must not be eaten. Nightshades are related to tobacco, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. Potatoes also contain solanine but in such small quantities that you would have to eat twenty pounds at one time to be affected by the poison. Another common name is blue witch. These plants can be found in the chaparral along the trail to the corral. The plant grows among the chaparral bushes. The flowers, often numerous, are 1/2 - 3/4" across.

A related plant, white nightshade, Solanum americanum, has been found in the stream bed upstream from Poverty Flat.

(large image)