Ribes sanguineum
Red-flowering currant, Red-Flowering Currant
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ribes sanguineum (Red-flowering currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by showy red flowers in drooping clusters diagnostic.
Red-flowering currant is a California native shrub found in coastal and northern California forests and woodlands at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces clusters of pink to red drooping flowers 10 to 20 blossoms long with delicate white to red bracts. Growing up to 4 meters tall with multiple stems and no nodal spines, the shrub develops a graceful, arching form. Its leaves are thin to moderately thick, typically 2 to 7 centimeters long with coarse to fine tooth edges, creating a delicate green backdrop for the vibrant flowers. The plant produces blue-black berries with a glaucous coating, which are covered in glandular hairs and provide food for local wildlife.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species; showy red flowers in drooping clusters diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Humboldt, Santa Clara, Siskiyou, Del Norte, Mendocino, Trinity, Alameda, Marin, San Mateo, Sonoma, Monterey, Tulare, Solano, Glenn, Tehama, Contra Costa, San Bernardino, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, El Dorado, Placer, San Diego, Butte, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Madera
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 sanguineum native to California?
Yes. Ribes sanguineum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ribes sanguineum grow?
Ribes sanguineum occurs in Humboldt, Santa Clara, Siskiyou, Del Norte, Mendocino, Trinity, Alameda, Marin and other counties.
What plant family does Ribes sanguineum belong to?
Ribes sanguineum 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.