Ribes aureum var. aureum
Golden currant
Photo: parent species Ribes aureum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes aureum var. aureum (Golden currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by spicy scent and yellow sepals aging orange.
Golden currant is a native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, California Ranges, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley, and Great Basin in many habitats at elevations of 125 to 1,880 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces yellow flowers that age to orange, with a spicy fragrance and petals nestled in a distinctive hypanthium. Growing to a moderate size with branching stems, it forms a dense, multi-stemmed shrub. Its leaves vary across the plant, typically featuring lobed or rounded shapes that provide textural interest to the landscape. The flowers, with their unique spicy scent and color transition from bright yellow to warm orange, make this currant a charming addition to its native habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; key features are spicy scent and yellow sepals aging orange
Habitat and range
Habitat: Many habitats
Elevation: 125-1880 m
California counties: Inyo, Lassen, Mono, Fresno, Siskiyou, Shasta, Stanislaus, Plumas, Modoc, Sierra, Placer, San Diego
Outside California: to British Columbia, South Dakota, New Mexico
Bloom period
Ribes aureum var. aureum blooms Apr-May.
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 var. aureum native to California?
Yes. Ribes aureum var. aureum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes aureum var. aureum bloom?
Ribes aureum var. aureum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Ribes aureum var. aureum grow?
Ribes aureum var. aureum occurs in Inyo, Lassen, Mono, Fresno, Siskiyou, Shasta, Stanislaus, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of 125-1880 m.
What plant family does Ribes aureum var. aureum belong to?
Ribes aureum var. aureum is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
What habitat does Ribes aureum var. aureum grow in?
Ribes aureum var. aureum grows in Many habitats.
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.