Ribes menziesii var. ixoderme

Aromatic canyon gooseberry

Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Aromatic canyon gooseberry is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills in chaparral and montane woodland at elevations of 900 to 1,100 meters. Flowering in April, this plant produces delicate flowers with subtle hues nestled among strongly scented foliage. Growing to less than 2 meters tall with dense, compact branching, it forms a compact woodland shrub. Its leaves are distinctively aromatic, releasing a notable fragrance when brushed or crushed, with a complex structure that provides textural interest to its woodland habitat. The shrub's compact form and intensely aromatic foliage make it a distinctive feature of its chaparral ecosystem.

Habitat: Chaparral, montane woodland

Bloom period: Apr

Elevation: 900-1100 m

Bioregions: s SNF.

California counties: Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Plumas

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.