Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum
Chaparral currant
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum (Chaparral currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family.
Chaparral currant is a California native shrub found in northern Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, San Francisco Bay Area, south Coast Ranges, Channel Islands, and western Transverse Ranges in chaparral and oak woodland at elevations of 5 to 1,220 meters. Flowering from October to April, this plant produces delicate pink to white flowers in hanging clusters. Growing as a rounded shrub 1 to 2 meters tall with multiple stems, it develops a dense branching structure. Its leaves are distinctively dull olive-green, with a soft texture and slightly lobed edges. The shrub provides important habitat and nectar for local wildlife in California's mediterranean landscapes.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: 5-1220 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Orange, Monterey, Tehama, Fresno, Calaveras, Alameda, Tuolumne, Contra Costa, Napa, Kern, Glenn, Colusa, San Mateo, Ventura, Riverside, Santa Clara, Lake, Santa Cruz, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum blooms Oct-Apr.
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 var. malvaceum native to California?
Yes. Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum bloom?
Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum blooms Oct-Apr.
Where in California does Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum grow?
Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum occurs in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Orange, Monterey, Tehama, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 5-1220 m.
What plant family does Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum belong to?
Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
What habitat does Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum grow in?
Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum grows in Chaparral, oak woodland.
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.