Ribes malvaceum

Ribes malvaceum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Grossulariaceae
Genus:	Ribes
Species:	R. malvaceum
Binomial name
Ribes malvaceum Sm.

Ribes malvaceum, called chaparral currant, is a member of the Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family). It is native to California and northern Baja California, where it occurs below 1500 m in chaparral, foothill oak woodland, and closed-cone pine forest.

Less than 2 meters tall, this perennial shrub lacks the characteristic nodal spines which are demonstrated on the stems of many other members in the genus Ribes. The leaf blades (20-50 mm) are densely hairy, glandular, and double toothed.

Infloresences are 10-25 flowered and open. The hypanthium (5-8 mm) is pink and about twice as long as it is wide. The sepals are pink-purple in color and are 4-6 mm. Petals are 2-3 mm and can range in color from pink-white. The flower also contains two fused styles which are fused to the tip and have a hairy base. A purple glaucous fruit (6-7 mm) is produced which is glandular and is covered by white hairs.

There are two varieties of R. malvaceum:

• var. malvaceum
• var. viridifolium

Cultivation

Ribes malvaceum is used in native plant landscapes and as bird feeding and habitat gardens. It thrives under oaks in bright dry conditions, and in other locations.

References

• Jepson Flora Project
• USDA Plants Database
• Cal Flora