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Summary
Chaparral Currant (R. malvaceum), with a native range from California to Mexico (N. Baja California), grows well in full sun to partial shade and is ideal for natural landscapes or xeriscaping. The edible berries are small but flavorful. They are eaten fresh or used in preserves.
Physical Characteristics

Ribes malvaceum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects, Hummingbirds. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
R. malvaceum var. clementinum Dunkle. R. malvaceum var. viridifolium Abrams. R. polystachyum A.Berger. R. purpurascens A.Heller. R. viridifolium (Abrams) A.Heller. R. watkinsii Eastw.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. Palatable[270 ]. The purple, globose fruits are around 6- 7mm in diameter[270 ]. Currants are usually harvested in mid to late summer, depending on the species and local climate. Ribes species generally flower in spring, with flowering occurring before or as the leaves emerge.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None Known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Ideal for native plant gardens, erosion control on slopes, and wildlife gardens. Its winter flowering makes it a standout ornamental plant in Mediterranean gardens. Currants can be used in agroforestry systems as a shrub layer in a mixed-species planting. They attract pollinators and beneficial insects, and their dense growth can provide habitat for wildlife. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Currant flowers produce nectar and pollen, attracting pollinators such as bees and other beneficial insects. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): The berries are a food source for birds and small mammals. The dense shrubs provide good cover and shelter for wildlife, and can also serve as nesting sites for birds. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): The leaf litter and dense growth offer overwintering sites and shelter for invertebrates, and the shrubs contribute to ground cover. Pest Confuser (Smell): Currants do not have a strong scent that acts as a pest confuser.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Soil Texture: Prefers light (sandy) to medium soils. It can tolerate rocky or gravelly soils commonly found in chaparral habitats. Soil Moisture: Thrives in dry to moderately moist soils. It is drought-tolerant once established and adapted to seasonal rainfall patterns typical of Mediterranean climates. Drainage: Requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Soil pH: Tolerates a range of soil pH levels, from slightly acidic to neutral. Saline Tolerance: Low tolerance for saline conditions; best suited for inland and upland areas rather than coastal environments with high salinity. Tolerance of Poor Soil: it can thrive in poor, nutrient-deficient soils, particularly in natural chaparral and woodland habitats. Light Requirements: Grows best in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates shade better in hotter climates. Height: Typically grows to about 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) tall, with a spread of about 1.5–2 meters (5–7 feet). Pollination: bees, hummingbirds, and other insects are attracted to its clusters of fragrant, tubular pink to red flowers. Temperature: Native to California and suited for USDA zones 7–10. It thrives in Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Drought Tolerance: Very drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for xeriscaping. Flowering: Produces showy clusters of pink to red flowers in late fall to early spring, providing a vital nectar source for pollinators during winter. Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to powdery mildew in overly humid or poorly ventilated conditions. Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed; trimming dead or weak branches after flowering can promote healthy growth.A deciduous shrub with erect stems. It can grow 100 - 200cm tall[270 ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as food. Species in this genus are generally easy to grow, preferring a position in the sun (where they fruit best) or moderate shade and succeeding in most moist but well-drained soils of at least moderate fertility[11 ]. White pine blister rust, caused by the pathogen Cronartium ribicola, is a fungal disease native to Asia. It has spread via human activity to many other regions, where it has become more virulent. It has a complex life cycle requiring currants (Ribes species) and white pines (Pinus species of the section Strobus) for the disease to spread. While Ribes species can generally live with the disease (it has an annual life cycle and infects the leaves only), Pinus species can be devastated by it (it becomes perennial and spreads through the tree). Young pines are far more susceptible than mature trees. In America, the growing of certain Ribe species is banned in some areas to protect plantations of white pine species. Plants in this genus tend to be notably susceptible to honey fungus[200 ]. The native range of this species is from California to Mexico (N. Baja California). It is a shrub and grows primarily in the subtropical biome [2-5]. Currant plants are relatively fast-growing, reaching maturity in about 2 to 3 years. They typically grow to a height of 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) and can be quite productive.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months of cold stratification at 0 - 9°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[113, 164 ]. Under typical storage conditions, the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid-summer in a frame[113 ]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, late autumn to late winter in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors[78, 200 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Chaparral Currant
Native Range
Native to: California, Mexico Northwest.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Available
Related Plants
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Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
Embelia ribes | False black pepper, White-flowered Embelia | Climber | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | S | M | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Rheum ribes | | Perennial | 1.5 |
5-9
| | MH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes aciculare | | Shrub | 1.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
Ribes alpinum | Alpine Currant | Shrub | 1.2 |
2-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 4 |
Ribes altissimum | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
Ribes ambiguum | | Shrub | 0.6 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes americanum | American Blackcurrant | Shrub | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
Ribes aureum | Golden Currant | Shrub | 2.4 |
3-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Ribes bracteosum | Stink Currant | Shrub | 2.5 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | |
Ribes burejense | Bureja gooseberry, | Shrub | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Ribes californicum | Hillside Gooseberry | Shrub | 0.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes cereum | Wax Currant | Shrub | 1.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | |
Ribes curvatum | Granite gooseberry | Shrub | 1.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
Ribes cynosbati | Dogberry, Eastern prickly gooseberry | Shrub | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Ribes diacanthum | Siberian currant | Shrub | 1.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes distans | | Shrub | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes divaricatum | Coastal Black Gooseberry, Spreading gooseberry, Parish's gooseberry, Straggly gooseberry | Shrub | 2.7 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
Ribes fasciculatum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
Ribes fragrans | | Shrub | 0.6 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
Ribes gayanum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
Ribes glaciale | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes glandulosum | Skunk Currant | Shrub | 0.4 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Ribes griffithii | | Shrub | 2.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes himalense | | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | |
Ribes hirtellum | Currant-Gooseberry, Hairystem gooseberry | Shrub | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Ribes horridum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
Ribes hudsonianum | Hudson Bay Currant, Northern black currant, Western black currant | Shrub | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
Ribes inebrians | Whisky Currant | Shrub | 2.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
Ribes inerme | Whitestem Gooseberry, Klamath gooseberry | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
Ribes irriguum | Idaho Gooseberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Ribes malvaceum
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