Ribes menziesii
Canyon gooseberry
(c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes menziesii (Canyon gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by fuchsia-like flowers and fuzzy fruits diagnostic.
Canyon gooseberry is a California native shrub found in western foothills and mountain areas in rocky chaparral and woodland habitats. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white and purple flowers with petals curled inward, developing in small clusters of one to three blooms. Growing up to 3 meters tall with distinctive nodal spines and dense bristly stems, the shrub has a dense, spreading growth habit. Its leaves are glandular-hairy, approximately 1.5 to 4 centimeters wide, with a textured surface that adds visual complexity to the plant. The fruit is a purple berry 8 to 10 millimeters long, covered in stiff, glandular bristles that give the plant a distinctive, textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; fuchsia-like flowers and fuzzy fruits diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Humboldt, Santa Clara, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Alameda, Del Norte, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Napa, Contra Costa, Solano, Nevada, Plumas
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 menziesii native to California?
Yes. Ribes menziesii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ribes menziesii grow?
Ribes menziesii occurs in Humboldt, Santa Clara, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Ribes menziesii belong to?
Ribes menziesii 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.