Ribes californicum
| Ribes californicum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Grossulariaceae |
| Genus: | Ribes |
| Species: | R. californicum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ribes californicum | |
Synonyms[1][2]
| |

Ribes californicum, with the common name hillside gooseberry,[3] is a North American species of currant. It is endemic to California.
Description
[edit]Ribes californicum is a mostly erect shrub growing to a maximum height around 1.4 metres (4+1⁄2 ft). Nodes along the stem each bear three spines up to 1.5 centimetres (5⁄8 in) in length. The hairy to hairless leaves are 1–3 cm (3⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) long and divided into 3–5 cm (1+1⁄8–2 in) oblong, toothed lobes.[4]
The inflorescence is a solitary flower or raceme of up to three flowers which hang pendent from the branches. The flower has five sepals in shades of deep red or green with a red tinge, which are reflexed upward. At the center is a tubular corolla of white or pinkish petals around five stamens and two longer styles.[4]
The fruit is an edible red berry about 1 cm wide which is covered in stiff spines.[4]
Varieties
[edit]- Ribes californicum var. californicum - mostly Coast Ranges from Ventura County to Mendocino County, with additional populations in Orange County
- Ribes californicum var. hesperium - primarily San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California
Distribution and habitat
[edit]It is endemic to California, where it can be found throughout many of the California Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges in local habitat types such as chaparral and woodlands.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b This species was first described and published in Botany of Captain Beechey's Voyage 346. 1839. "Plant Name Details for Ribes californicum". IPNI. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- ^ Grossularia californica; published in North American Flora 22: 214. 1908. New York Botanical Garden. "Plant Name Details for Grossularia californica". IPNI. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- ^ NRCS. "Ribes californicum". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ^ a b c Flora of North America; Ribes californicum
- ^ Calflora taxon report, University of California, Ribes californicum Hook. & Arn., California gooseberry, hillside gooseberry