''Ribes menziesii'', the canyon gooseberry, is a species of
currant found only in
California and
Oregon. There are five to six varieties of the species found across the low elevation mountains of California, especially the
Coast Ranges
The Pacific Coast Ranges (officially gazetted as the Pacific Mountain System in the United States) are the series of mountain ranges that stretch along the West Coast of North America from Alaska south to Northern and Central Mexico. Although the ...
, and the coastal canyons and foothills, into southern Oregon. It can be found in the
chaparral plant community.
Description
The canyon gooseberry, ''Ribes menziesii'', is an aromatic deciduous shrub with very prickly branches growing up to in height. It has somewhat rounded, hairy, glandular green leaves.
[Flora of North America, ''Ribes menziesii'' Pursh, 1813. Canyon gooseberry ]
/ref>
Its showy hanging flowers have sepals which are reflexed, or folded backwards along the length of the flower. The sepals are fuchsia or purple. The petals are white and extend forward to form a loose tube from which the stamens emerge.[
The plant fruits purple gooseberries which are edible but are mainly seeds with little fruit, generally regarded as unpalatable. The plant's spines also make collecting fruit difficult.][
;Varieties][
*''Ribes menziesii'' var. ''ixoderme'' — southern Sierra Nevada]
Calflora taxon report, University of California: ''Ribes menziesii'' var. ''ixoderme''
*''Ribes menziesii'' var. ''menziesii'' — Coast ranges.
*''Ribes menziesii'' var. ''senile'' (Coville) Jeps. - Santa Cruz County
Cultivation
''Ribes menziesii'' is cultivated as an ornamental plant for native plant and wildlife gardens, in areas of suitable climate, such as coastal California. It is valued for its attractive spring blooms.Las Pilitas Nursery horticulture treatment: ''Ribes menziesii'', Canyon gooseberry
. accessed 1.30.2013
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment: ''Ribes menziesii''''Ribes menziesii'' — Calphotos Photo Gallery, University of California
menziesii
Flora of California
Flora of Oregon
Garden plants of North America
Plants described in 1813
Flora without expected TNC conservation status
{{Saxifragales-stub