Ribes cereum
Wax currant
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian Finzel · licence
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes cereum (Wax currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by small waxy leaves and compact pale flower clusters diagnostic.
Wax currant is a native shrub found in western North American mountain ranges in rocky, open woodlands and chaparral at elevations from 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white to pale pink flowers in small clusters of 3 to 7 blossoms. Growing as a compact shrub less than 1.5 meters tall with smooth, slender branches, it features distinctively spicy-scented leaves. Its rounded leaves are 1 to 4 centimeters wide, glossy on the upper surface, with shallow lobes and fine teeth around the margins. The fruit is a smooth, bright red berry approximately 6 to 7 millimeters in diameter, adding ornamental interest to the plant's winter landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; small waxy leaves and compact pale flower clusters diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Lassen, Los Angeles, Mono, Inyo, Riverside, Fresno, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, El Dorado, Plumas, Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Madera, Placer, Alpine, Kern, Nevada, Butte, Amador, Sierra, Orange, Mariposa, Tehama, Glenn, Trinity, San Luis Obispo, San Diego
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 cereum native to California?
Yes. Ribes cereum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ribes cereum grow?
Ribes cereum occurs in San Bernardino, Lassen, Los Angeles, Mono, Inyo, Riverside, Fresno, Tulare and other counties.
What plant family does Ribes cereum belong to?
Ribes cereum 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.