Ribes inerme var. klamathense
Klamath gooseberry
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes inerme var. klamathense (Klamath gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by hairy leaves and flowers vs. smooth in var. inerme.
Klamath gooseberry is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and high Cascade Range in conifer forest edges at elevations of 150 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers with soft sepals. Growing with spreading branches 50 to 100 centimeters tall, it forms a dense, multi-stemmed shrub. Its leaves are covered in sparse to dense soft hairs, with blades that are broadly rounded and slightly lobed. The shrub produces edible berries that are an important food source for local wildlife.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; key features are hairy leaves and flowers vs. smooth in var. inerme
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer forest edges
Elevation: 150-1200 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Ribes inerme var. klamathense 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 inerme var. klamathense native to California?
Yes. Ribes inerme var. klamathense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes inerme var. klamathense bloom?
Ribes inerme var. klamathense blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Ribes inerme var. klamathense belong to?
Ribes inerme var. klamathense is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
What habitat does Ribes inerme var. klamathense grow in?
Ribes inerme var. klamathense grows in Conifer forest edges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.