Ribes malvaceum
Chaparral currant
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes malvaceum (Chaparral currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by early pink flowers and dry fruits key.
Chaparral currant is a California native shrub found in chaparral and woodland habitats. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces pink to purple flowers about 5 to 8 millimeters long with delicate white and pink petals. Growing to less than 2 meters tall with an open, spreading form, the shrub has dense glandular-hairy branches. Its leaves are 2 to 5 centimeters wide, coarsely toothed, and covered in glandular hairs that give the foliage a distinctive texture. The fruit is a purple-glaucous berry 6 to 7 millimeters long, covered in white glandular hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; early pink flowers and dry fruits key
Habitat and range
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, Lake, Santa Clara, Napa, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Calaveras, Monterey, Alameda, Solano, San Francisco, San Benito, Fresno, Contra Costa, Orange, Tehama, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Colusa, Glenn, Mendocino, Shasta, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Santa Cruz, San Diego, San Joaquin, Merced, Marin, Amador, Modoc, Yolo, El Dorado
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 malvaceum native to California?
Yes. Ribes malvaceum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ribes malvaceum grow?
Ribes malvaceum occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, Lake, Santa Clara, Napa, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Ribes malvaceum belong to?
Ribes malvaceum 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.