Ribes tularense
Sequoia gooseberry
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Ribes tularense (Sequoia gooseberry) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by very low stature and light yellow ripe fruits diagnostic.
Sequoia gooseberry is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Tulare County within montane forest at elevations of 1,660 to 1,740 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces white flowers with green sepals in small clusters of 1 to 3 blooms. Growing as a low, spreading shrub less than 0.5 meters tall with distinctive nodal spines, it features glandular-hairy stems and branches. Its leaves are 2 to 5 centimeters wide, covered in glandular hairs and displaying a delicate texture. The fruit is a light yellow berry 8 to 10 millimeters long, covered in nonglandular prickles and glandular bristles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; very low stature and light yellow ripe fruits diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane forest
Elevation: 1660-1740 m
California counties: Tulare
Bloom period
Ribes tularense blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 tularense native to California?
Yes. Ribes tularense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes tularense bloom?
Ribes tularense blooms May.
Where in California does Ribes tularense grow?
Ribes tularense occurs in Tulare, at elevations of 1660-1740 m.
What plant family does Ribes tularense belong to?
Ribes tularense is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
Is Ribes tularense rare or endangered?
Ribes tularense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
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.