Ribes inerme
White-stemmed gooseberry
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes inerme (White-stemmed gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by whitish bark and moist forest habitat diagnostic.
White-stemmed gooseberry is a California native shrub found in rocky or woodland habitats, typically scrambling through understory vegetation. Flowering from spring to early summer, this plant produces delicate white flowers with green-white sepals that have a subtle purple base. Growing to less than 3 meters tall with distinctive white to gray stem tips and occasional nodal spines, it develops an open, sprawling form. Its leaves are relatively small, about 2 to 3 centimeters wide, with coarse tooth-like edges and a simple, rounded shape. The fruit develops as a smooth, purple berry approximately 7 to 11 millimeters long, adding subtle color to its woodland habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 34 sympatric species; whitish bark and moist forest habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Humboldt, El Dorado, Placer, Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Plumas, Mono, Tuolumne, Butte, Modoc, Tehama, Nevada, Trinity, Shasta, Alpine
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 inerme native to California?
Yes. Ribes inerme is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ribes inerme grow?
Ribes inerme occurs in Humboldt, El Dorado, Placer, Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Plumas and other counties.
What plant family does Ribes inerme belong to?
Ribes inerme 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.