Ribes aureum var. gracillimum
Golden currant
Photo: parent species Ribes aureum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes aureum var. gracillimum (Golden currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by scentless flowers and petals aging deep red.
Golden currant is a California native shrub found in northern coastal interior California, San Francisco Bay Area, southern coastal ranges, and southwestern California in alluvial areas and forest edges at elevations of 105 to 910 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces yellow flowers that age to deep red, with petals emerging in small clusters. Growing with multiple stems 1 to 2 meters tall, it forms a dense, branching structure characteristic of currant species. Its leaves are generally lobed and divided, arranged alternately along the branches with varying shapes and sizes. The fruit is a small, edible golden to reddish berry typical of Ribes species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; key features are scentless flowers and petals aging deep red
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alluvial areas, forest edges
Elevation: 105-910 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Lake, Monterey, San Benito, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Glenn, Modoc, Fresno, San Diego, Stanislaus, Plumas
Bloom period
Ribes aureum var. gracillimum blooms Feb-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. gracillimum native to California?
Yes. Ribes aureum var. gracillimum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes aureum var. gracillimum bloom?
Ribes aureum var. gracillimum blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Ribes aureum var. gracillimum grow?
Ribes aureum var. gracillimum occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Lake, Monterey, San Benito, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of 105-910 m.
What plant family does Ribes aureum var. gracillimum belong to?
Ribes aureum var. gracillimum is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
What habitat does Ribes aureum var. gracillimum grow in?
Ribes aureum var. gracillimum grows in Alluvial areas, forest edges.
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.