Chaparral Currant

Description

Ribes malvaceum typically grows 5-10 feet (1.5-3.0 m) tall. This perennial shrub lacks the characteristic nodal spines which are demonstrated on the stems of many other members in the genus Ribes. The leaf blades (20-50 mm) are densely hairy, glandular, and double toothed. Infloresences are 10-25 flowered and open, occurring October to April in native range. The hypanthium (5-8 mm) is pink and about twice as long as it is wide. The sepals are pink-purple in color and are 4-6 mm. Petals are 2-3 mm and can range in color from pink shades to white. The flower also contains two fused styles which are fused to the tip and have a hairy base. Striking glaucous purple berries are produced. The (6-7 mm fruit is glandular and covered by white hairs.