Ribes thacherianum
Santa cruz island gooseberry, Santa Cruz Island Gooseberry
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Ribes thacherianum (Santa cruz island gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by island endemic with soft white-hairy flower stalks diagnostic.
Santa cruz island gooseberry is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the northern Channel Islands on Santa Cruz Island in coastal ravines at elevations of 30 to 175 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces white petals with pink sepals in delicate blossoms with curled-in petal margins. Growing less than 3 meters tall with hairy, bristly stems that have 0 to 3 nodal spines, it forms a compact branching structure. Its leaves are 2 to 3 centimeters wide with shallow lobes, relatively smooth on the upper surface and hairy underneath. The fruit is a purple berry 7 to 10 millimeters long, covered in dense, soft bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; island endemic with soft white-hairy flower stalks diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ravines
Elevation: 30-175 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Ribes thacherianum blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 thacherianum native to California?
Yes. Ribes thacherianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes thacherianum bloom?
Ribes thacherianum blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Ribes thacherianum grow?
Ribes thacherianum occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of 30-175 m.
What plant family does Ribes thacherianum belong to?
Ribes thacherianum is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
Is Ribes thacherianum rare or endangered?
Ribes thacherianum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.