Ribes roezlii
Sierran gooseberry
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Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes roezlii (Sierran gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by stiff fruit spines rather than glandular bristles key.
Sierran gooseberry is a California native shrub found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in montane and subalpine habitats at elevations suitable for its growth. Flowering from spring to early summer, this plant produces white to pink-tinged flowers with delicate, curled petals measuring 3 to 4 millimeters long. Growing as a compact shrub less than 1.5 meters tall, it features distinctive nodal spines and sturdy branching. Its leaves are relatively small, approximately 1.2 to 2.5 centimeters wide, with a smooth, nonglandular surface. The fruit develops as a red berry approximately 14 to 16 millimeters long, covered in stout, nonglandular prickles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; stiff fruit spines rather than glandular bristles key
Habitat and range
California counties: Colusa, San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Butte, Riverside, Tulare, Fresno, Orange, Sierra, El Dorado, Tehama, Tuolumne, Alpine, Humboldt, Ventura, Plumas, Siskiyou, Trinity, Mariposa, Shasta, Madera, Placer, Amador, Nevada, Lassen, Calaveras, Monterey, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Lake, Yuba, Sonoma, Napa, Modoc, San Luis Obispo
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 roezlii native to California?
Yes. Ribes roezlii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ribes roezlii grow?
Ribes roezlii occurs in Colusa, San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Butte, Riverside, Tulare and other counties.
What plant family does Ribes roezlii belong to?
Ribes roezlii 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.