Black Sage

 Black sage (Picture taken in Escondido, CA)

Black sage is a very common plant in Southern California, it occurs quite frequently in a chaparral desert. It does like some water though. This plant is famous for medicinal use though I don't know what exactly you can do with it except add a leaf or two in your cooking to spice it up a bit.

Black sage is one of the several varieties of sages, other common species being white sage and purple sage. They are also known as salvias.

Datura

 Datura (Picture takes in Wilderness Gardens near Pala, CA)

Well, this one was really an exciting discovery. I first noticed this plant in Wilderness gardens near Pala Indian Reservation but I didn't know what plant it was. Only later i was able to identify it as datura or jimson weed, a plant that can be used as a poison or rather made into a psychedelic concoction to induce visions.

Well, since then I have seen it in other places. It grows wild though it is not really a common plant. It seems to like desert environment. It has beautiful white flowers. I have no idea what part of plants is used for trips though I suspect it's a flower or seed. Anyway it really stands out in desert.

Datura is part of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae)