About Ribes montigenum Mc Clatchie
Ribes montigenum Mc Clatchie is a spreading shrub that reaches 0.3 to 1.5 meters (1 to 5 feet) in height. Its branching stems are covered in prickles and hairs, with 1 to 5 sharp spines occurring at intervals. The lightly hairy, glandular leaves are borne on a petiole several centimeters long, grow up to 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long, and are divided into approximately five deeply cut, bluntly toothed lobes. The inflorescence is a raceme holding several flowers. Each flower has five sepals that come in shades of yellow-green, pale pink, orange, or yellow, which spread out to form a corolla-like star shape. At the center of the flower are five smaller, club-shaped red petals and purple-red stamens, which are tipped with yellowish or cream anthers. The fruit is an acidic but palatable edible berry, ranging in color from red to orange-red, that grows up to 1 cm long; it is usually covered in soft bristles. The dried flower remnant at the end of the berry is smaller than the corresponding remnant found on wax currant. This species is native to western North America, ranging from Washington in the north south to California, and east as far as the Rocky Mountains. It grows in high mountain habitat types in subalpine and alpine climates, including forests and talus.
