Ribes viburnifolium
Encyclopedia
Ribes viburnifolium, is known by the common names Evergreen currant and Island gooseberry.
in the United States
, especially on Santa Catalina Island
in the Channel Islands
, and into northern Baja California
in Mexico
. 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.
Clusters of deep red flowers bloom in late winter and into early spring. The plant yields small red fruits later in the spring.
Distribution
Ribes viburnifolium is found in Southern CaliforniaSouthern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, especially on Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island, California
Santa Catalina Island, often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina, is a rocky island off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The island is long and across at its greatest width. The island is located about south-southwest of Los Angeles, California. The highest point on the island is...
in the Channel Islands
Channel Islands of California
The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel in the United States of America...
, and into northern Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. 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.
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.Clusters of deep red flowers bloom in late winter and into early spring. The plant yields small red fruits later in the spring.