Hillside Gooseberry

Description

Ribes californicum is a mostly erect shrub growing to a maximum height around 1.4 metres (4.6 ft). Nodes along the stem each bear three spines up to 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in length. The hairy to hairless leaves are 1-3 centimetres (0.39-1.18 in) long and divided into 3-5 centimetres (1.2-2.0 in) oblong, toothed lobes. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or raceme of up to three flowers which hang pendent from the branches. The flower has five sepals in shades of deep red or green with a red tinge, which are reflexed upward. At the center is a tubular corolla of white or pinkish petals around five stamens and two longer styles.