Ribes quercetorum
Oakwoods gooseberry, Oakwoods Gooseberry
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes quercetorum (Oakwoods gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by small yellow flowers and smooth black fruits in oak habitat diagnostic.
Oakwoods gooseberry is a California native shrub found in central and western regions including the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, western Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and western desert edge at elevations of 40 to 1,970 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces cream-colored petals with yellow sepals in small clusters of 2 to 3 flowers. Growing with arched stems up to 1.5 meters tall and bearing nodal spines, it has a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are small, approximately 1 to 2 centimeters wide, and covered with glandular hairs that give the foliage a distinctive texture. The fruit develops as a black, nearly smooth berry approximately 7 to 8 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; small yellow flowers and smooth black fruits in oak habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, oak-covered foothills, chaparral
Elevation: 40-1970 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Tulare, San Benito, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Riverside, Ventura, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Inyo, Sutter, Imperial, Colusa, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, Contra Costa, Kings
Outside California: Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Ribes quercetorum blooms Mar-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 quercetorum native to California?
Yes. Ribes quercetorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes quercetorum bloom?
Ribes quercetorum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Ribes quercetorum grow?
Ribes quercetorum occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Tulare, San Benito, Santa Clara, San Joaquin and other counties, at elevations of 40-1970 m.
What plant family does Ribes quercetorum belong to?
Ribes quercetorum is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
What habitat does Ribes quercetorum grow in?
Ribes quercetorum grows in Rocky slopes, oak-covered foothills, 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.