Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare
Western black currant
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare (Western black currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by maple-like leaves with long petioles diagnostic.
Western black currant is a California native shrub found in northern Modoc Plateau in streamside habitats at elevations of 15 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers in erect clusters with 20 to 50 blooms, each flower approximately 4 to 7 millimeters wide. Growing less than 2 meters tall with upright stems that are lightly hairy between nodes, it develops a compact form with arching branches. Its leaves are 3 to 10 centimeters wide, coarsely double-toothed, smooth on the upper surface and softly hairy underneath with distinctive yellow glands. The fruit is a black berry approximately 9 to 10 millimeters long, covered with sessile yellow glands.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; maple-like leaves with long petioles diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streamsides
Elevation: 15-2100 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 hudsonianum var. petiolare native to California?
Yes. Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare bloom?
Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare belong to?
Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
Is Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare rare or endangered?
Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare grow in?
Ribes hudsonianum var. petiolare grows in Streamsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.