Ribes viburnifolium

Ribes viburnifolium, is an uncommon North American species in the gooseberry family. It is known by the common names Catalina currant, Santa Catalina Island currant, island gooseberry[1] and evergreen currant.[2]

Ribes viburnifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Grossulariaceae
Genus: Ribes
Species:
R. viburnifolium
Binomial name
Ribes viburnifolium
Gray 1882

Distribution

Ribes viburnifolium is found in Southern California in the United States, especially on Santa Catalina Island in the Channel Islands,[1] and also in northern Baja California in Mexico.[3] It is a rare member of the California coastal sage and chaparral plant community. 'Evergreen currant' has become a popular plant in drought-tolerant gardens.[4]

Description

Ribes viburnifolium grows low to the ground, extending long reddish stems horizontally. The leaves are dark green and shiny on their top surfaces, and lighter green or yellowish and leathery on the undersides. The leaves have glands which exude a sticky, citrus-scented sap.[2][4]

Clusters of deep red flowers bloom in late winter and into early spring. The plant yields small red fruits later in the spring.[4][2]

References
  1. Calflora taxon report, University of California, Ribes viburnifolium A. Gray, Catalina currant, Santa Catalina Island currant, island gooseberry
  2. Flora of North America, Ribes viburnifolium A. Gray, 1882. Evergreen or Catalina currant
  3. SEINet, Southwestern Biodiversity, Arizona chapter
  4. Casebeer, M. (2004). Discover California Shrubs. Hooker Press: Sonora, California. ISBN 0-9665463-1-8


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