hillside gooseberry

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. 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. The fruit is an edible red berry about 1 cm wide which is covered in stiff spines.

It is endemic to California, where it can be found throughout many of the California Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges in local habitat types such as chaparral and woodlands.