About Ribes californicum Hook. & Arn.
Ribes californicum Hook. & Arn. is a mostly erect shrub that reaches a maximum height of approximately 1.4 meters (4 and 1/2 feet). Each node along the stem bears three spines, which grow up to 1.5 centimeters (5/8 of an inch) long. Its leaves, which range from hairy to hairless, are 1 to 3 centimeters (3/8 to 1 and 1/8 inches) long and divided into 3 to 5 oblong, toothed lobes. The inflorescence may be a single solitary flower, or a pendent hanging raceme holding up to three flowers that grows from the branches. Each flower has five sepals, which are either deep red or green with a red tinge, and curve reflexed upward. At the center of the flower is a tubular corolla made of white or pinkish petals, surrounding five stamens and two longer styles. The fruit is an edible red berry roughly 1 centimeter wide, covered in stiff spines. This species is endemic to California. It occurs widely across the California Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges, growing in local habitat types including chaparral and woodlands.
