Ribes viburnifolium
Catalina currant
Family GrossulariaceaeAlso called island gooseberry, evergreen currant
About
Ribes viburnifolium, the Catalina or evergreen currant, is a low, spreading shrub of coastal southern California and Baja California with glossy, citrus-scented leaves; it is popular in drought-tolerant gardens.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Not recorded. We have no source on whether this plant is safe for cats, dogs or other pets — that is not the same as safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked.
- People
- Not recorded.
- Water
- Drought tolerant; suited to dry gardens.
Field notes
Morphology
A low shrub with long reddish stems spreading along the ground. Leaves are glossy dark green above and pale, leathery beneath, with glands that release a sticky, citrus-scented sap. Deep red flower clusters open in late winter to early spring, followed by small red fruits.
Distribution & habitat
Coastal Baja California and southern California, from the Tijuana Hills of San Diego County to El Rosario, and on islands including Santa Catalina, Todos Santos and Cedros.
Ecology
Flowers attract hummingbirds and insects; birds eat the red fruit.
Cultivation notes
Widely grown in drought-tolerant gardens.
History & etymology
The probable type locality is near Ensenada, from an 1882 collection by Marcus E. Jones.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- United States, Mexico
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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