Ribes aureum
Golden currant
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Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes aureum (Golden currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by spineless stems and golden flowers diagnostic.
Golden currant is a California native shrub found in various bioregions, growing in diverse habitats at moderate elevations. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces vibrant yellow flowers in small clusters of 5 to 15 blossoms. Growing to nearly 3 meters tall with glabrous or slightly puberulent stems, the shrub develops without nodal spines. Its firm leaves are light green, wedge-shaped to slightly heart-shaped, typically 1.5 to 5 centimeters long and often glandular when young. The fruit is a small, glossy orb 6 to 8 millimeters in diameter, which can ripen to red, orange, or black.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; spineless stems and golden flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Mono, Modoc, Siskiyou, Plumas, Sacramento, Monterey, Inyo, San Mateo, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Lassen, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Ventura, Lake, Alameda, Stanislaus, Riverside, Yolo
How to tell it apart
vs Rubus: Ribes has palmately lobed leaves; blackberry has compound leaves with 3-7 separate leaflets.; vs Rhus: Ribes has palmately lobed simple leaves; sumac has pinnately compound leaves with separate leaflets.; vs Quercus: Ribes has toothed maple-like lobes; oak has smooth-edged rounded lobes and acorns.; vs Acer: Ribes has drooping flower clusters; maple has upright flower clusters and winged paired fruits.; vs Holodiscus: Ribes has broad palmately lobed leaves; ocean spray has pinnately arranged leaflets on compound leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ribes aureum native to California?
Yes. Ribes aureum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ribes aureum grow?
Ribes aureum occurs in Los Angeles, Mono, Modoc, Siskiyou, Plumas, Sacramento, Monterey, Inyo and other counties.
What plant family does Ribes aureum belong to?
Ribes aureum is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.