Kingdom Plantae Family Grossulariaceae Scientific name Ribes inerme | Order Saxifragales Genus Ribes Rank Species | |
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Similar Ribes hudsonianum, Ribes californicum, Ribes montigenum, Ribes bracteosum, Ribes leptanthum | ||
Ribes inerme is a species of currant known by the common names whitestem gooseberry and white stemmed gooseberry. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to the Rocky Mountains. It grows in mountain forests, woodlands, and meadows.
Contents
The less common Ribes inerme var. klamathense, known as Klamath gooseberry, is confined to the states of California and Oregon.
Description
Ribes inerme is an erect or spreading thicketlike shrub approaching 3 metres (9.8 ft) in maximum height. The stem is hairless or bristly and has black resin glands and spines at its nodes. The small leaves are divided deeply into three to five toothed lobes which may be divided partway into smaller lobes.
The inflorescence is a solitary flower or raceme of up to five flowers which hangs pendent. The flower has five reddish green sepals which are reflexed upward. At the center are white or pinkish petals and protruding stamens and stigmas.
The fruit is an edible hairless greenish, purple, or black berry roughly a centimeter (0.4 inch) wide.