Harman Patil (Editor)

Ribes malvaceum

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Kingdom
  
Family
  
Scientific name
  
Ribes malvaceum

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Genus
  
Ribes

Higher classification
  
Currant

Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum Pink Chaparral currant

Similar
  
Currant, Ribes speciosum, Ribes viburnifolium, Ribes indecorum, Ribes californicum

Ribes malvaceum, commonly called chaparral currant, is a member of the Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family). It is native to California and northern Baja California, where it occurs from sea level to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft), in chaparral, foothill oak woodland, and closed-cone pine forest habitats.

Contents

Ribes malvaceum FileRibes malvaceum var veridifolium 1jpg Wikimedia Commons

Description

Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum Pink Chaparral currant

Ribes malvaceum typically grows 5–10 feet (1.5–3.0 m) tall. This perennial shrub lacks the characteristic nodal spines which are demonstrated on the stems of many other members in the genus Ribes. The leaf blades (20–50 mm) are densely hairy, glandular, and double toothed.

Ribes malvaceum Wildflowers NPS SAMO NRA Ribes malvaceum detail page

Infloresences are 10-25 flowered and open, occurring October to April in native range. The hypanthium (5–8 mm) is pink and about twice as long as it is wide. The sepals are pink-purple in color and are 4–6 mm. Petals are 2–3 mm and can range in color from pink shades to white. The flower also contains two fused styles which are fused to the tip and have a hairy base.

Striking glaucous purple berries are produced. The (6–7 mm fruit is glandular and covered by white hairs.

Varieties

There are several varieties of R. malvaceum:

Ribes malvaceum httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

  • Ribes malvaceum var. clementinum — (Dunkle)
  • Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum — plants with dark green leaves occurring below 800 metres (2,600 ft).
  • Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium — (Abrams) — plants with bright green leaves occurring up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft)
  • Cultivation

    Ribes malvaceum Chaparral Currant Ribes malvaceum

    Ribes malvaceum is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty plant nurseries. It is used in traditional gardens, native plant landscapes, and as bird food source in habitat gardens. It thrives under oaks in bright dry conditions, and in many other locations.

    Pollination ecologists have reported the plant important as a honey plant for attracting large numbers of native bees.

    Ribes malvaceum Untitled Document

    References

    Ribes malvaceum Wikipedia


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