Ribes roezlii var. cruentum
Sierra gooseberry
Photo: parent species Ribes roezlii · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes roezlii var. cruentum (Sierra gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by smooth vs hairy leaves diagnostic from other varieties.
Sierra gooseberry is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and North Coast Ranges in forest and woodland habitats at elevations of 150 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small flowers with glabrous hypanthium and sepals. Growing as a compact shrub less than 1.5 meters tall, it develops a sturdy branching structure. Its leaves have smooth blades that are glabrous on the undersurface, providing a clean, understated appearance. The plant forms dense clusters that provide both visual interest and habitat value in its woodland environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; smooth vs hairy leaves diagnostic from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Forest, woodland
Elevation: 150-2300 m
California counties: Humboldt, Shasta, Napa, Trinity, Del Norte, Butte, Siskiyou, Lake, Sonoma, Kern, Modoc, Glenn, Mendocino, El Dorado, Colusa
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Ribes roezlii var. cruentum blooms Mar-Jun.
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 var. cruentum native to California?
Yes. Ribes roezlii var. cruentum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes roezlii var. cruentum bloom?
Ribes roezlii var. cruentum blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Ribes roezlii var. cruentum grow?
Ribes roezlii var. cruentum occurs in Humboldt, Shasta, Napa, Trinity, Del Norte, Butte, Siskiyou, Lake and other counties, at elevations of 150-2300 m.
What plant family does Ribes roezlii var. cruentum belong to?
Ribes roezlii var. cruentum is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
What habitat does Ribes roezlii var. cruentum grow in?
Ribes roezlii var. cruentum grows in Forest, woodland.
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.