Bluewitch nightshade shrub

The nightshade Solanum umbelliferum is often referred to as bluewitch nightshade or bluewitch. In California as well as some areas of Baja California and Arizona, it can be found in chaparral habitat and low-elevation oak forests.  

It is a little perennial herb or subshrub that can reach a height of one meter. It has oval-shaped, dark gray-green leaves on hairy green stems. Bluewitch features ruffled flowers that are bright purple or blue with thick yellow anthers in the middle.  

Overnight, the flowers seal into spherical buds. It produces tiny, spherical, green fruits that resemble little eggplants when they are ripe and turn purple.