Ribes viburnifolium
Santa catalina island currant, Santa Catalina Island Currant
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Family: Grossulariaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Ribes viburnifolium (Santa catalina island currant) is a native California shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, recognized by evergreen unlobed leathery leaves unique among currants.
Santa catalina island currant is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern Channel Islands, specifically Santa Catalina Island, and southwestern Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and forest openings at elevations of 30 to 600 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces distinctive red petals in small flower clusters with brown sepals. Growing under one meter tall with erect or arched stems, it features smooth branches without nodal spines. Its evergreen leaves are leathery, two to four centimeters long, obovate in shape with a dark green upper surface and yellow-glandular undersides. The fruit is a small, glossy red berry approximately five to six millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; evergreen unlobed leathery leaves unique among currants
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, forest openings
Elevation: 30-600 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Ribes viburnifolium blooms Feb-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 viburnifolium native to California?
Yes. Ribes viburnifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ribes viburnifolium bloom?
Ribes viburnifolium blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Ribes viburnifolium grow?
Ribes viburnifolium occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, at elevations of 30-600 m.
What plant family does Ribes viburnifolium belong to?
Ribes viburnifolium is in the Grossulariaceae family, genus Ribes.
Is Ribes viburnifolium rare or endangered?
Ribes viburnifolium 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.