About Ribes malvaceum Sm.
Ribes malvaceum Sm. is a perennial shrub that typically grows 1.5 to 3 metres (5 to 10 ft) tall. Unlike many other species in the genus Ribes, it does not have the characteristic nodal spines on its stems. Its leaf blades measure 2 to 5 centimetres (3⁄4 to 2 in) across, are 3 to 5-lobed, glandular-hairy, and toothed. Open inflorescences holding 10 to 25 flowers develop from October to April within the species' native range. The pink hypanthium is 5 to 8 millimetres (1⁄4 to 3⁄8 in) long, and is roughly twice as long as it is wide. Its sepals are pink-purple and measure 4 to 6 mm, while its petals are 2 to 3 mm long and range in color from shades of pink to white. The flower has two styles that are fused all the way to the tip, with a hairy base. The shrub produces striking glaucous purple berries. The fruit is 6 to 7 mm across, glandular, covered in white hairs, and has a bland but palatable taste. This species is native to California and northern Baja California, where it grows from sea level up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) elevation, in chaparral, foothill oak woodland, and closed-cone pine forest habitats. Pollination ecologists have recorded that this plant is an important honey plant, as it attracts large numbers of native bees. Ribes malvaceum is grown as an ornamental plant by specialty plant nurseries. It is used in traditional gardens, native plant landscapes, and as a source of bird food in habitat gardens. It grows well under oaks in bright dry conditions, and also thrives in many other locations.
