Ribes californicum, with the common name hillside gooseberry,[3] is a North American species of currant. It is endemic to California.
Description
Ribes californicum is a mostly erect shrub growing to a maximum height around 1.4 metres (4+1⁄2 ft). Nodes along the stem each bear three spines up to 1.5 centimetres (5⁄8 in) in length. The hairy to hairless leaves are 1–3 cm (3⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) long and divided into 3–5 cm (1+1⁄8–2 in) oblong, toothed lobes.[4]
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.[4]
The fruit is an edible red berry about 1 cm wide which is covered in stiff spines.[4]
