| 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:
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.