Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium
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. viridifolium (Chaparral currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by bright green vs dull olive leaf surfaces diagnostic from var. malvaceum.
Chaparral currant is a California native shrub found in southern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral habitats at elevations of 5 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from January to May, this plant produces delicate pink to reddish flowers in drooping clusters. Growing with spreading branches 1 to 2 meters tall, it forms a dense, multi-stemmed structure. Its leaves have bright green blades that are deeply lobed, providing a vibrant contrast to the shrub's woody stems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; bright green vs dull olive leaf surfaces diagnostic from var. malvaceum
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 5-1500 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, San Diego, Lake
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium blooms Jan-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 malvaceum var. viridifolium native to California?
Yes. Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium bloom?
Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium blooms Jan-May.
Where in California does Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium grow?
Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 5-1500 m.
What plant family does Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium belong to?
Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
What habitat does Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium grow in?
Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium grows in Chaparral.
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.