Ribes viburnifolium
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| Ribes viburnifolium Gray |
The shrub Ribes viburnifolium is known by the common names island gooseberry and evergreen currant. It is found in southern California in the United States, especially on Santa Catalina Island, and into northern Baja California in Mexico. It is a rare member of the chaparral plant community, and more common in landscaped drought-tolerant gardens.
The shrub grows low to the ground, extending long reddish stems horizontally. The leaves are dark green and shiny on their top surfaces, and lighter green or yellowish and leathery on the undersides. The leaves have glands which exude a sticky, citrus-scented sap. Clusters of deep red flowers bloom in late winter and into early spring. The plant yields small red fruits later in the spring.
Adapted for its Mediterranean climate, the shrub needs very little water and does not tolerate frost or freeze.
In areas outside its native range, island gooseberry has been known as an invasive species. For example, in Michigan, planting of any currant and gooseberry species is prohibited.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
Casebeer, M. (2004). Discover California Shrubs. Hooker Press: Sonora, California. ISBN 0-9665463-1-8
