Ribes malvaceum

Chaparral currant.

I have seen this blooming as early as September and as late as May. It generally blooms around the first rain of the season. This is probably our most common Ribes (which hardly makes it common) but you will probably find one or two plants on almost every trail in both the back and front country.

Currants start to form in late January.

Seems to like north-facing, shady slopes. Does not seem to grow in or on the streambeds as many other members of this genus do.

Seen on the backside of Romero Rd (just above the trail crossing), on the backside of Gibraltar Rd., on another backside fireroad (between 154 & Painted Cave), on the fireroad between Hot Springs and Cold Spring (but near the CS pylons), on west fork of Cold Spring (in the burn area), and on San Ysidro above the waterfall, on Gaviota Peak.

Flowers are in clusters, no spines on stems.