Whiteflower Currant

Ribes indecorum

Native to:
Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Grossulariaceae
Genus:
Ribes
Species:
Ribes indecorum
USDA Symbol:
RIIN

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub
Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jan,feb,mar,nov,dec
Bloom Colors:
white, pink
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Aseptis binotata?, Decodes opleri, Epinotia sagittana, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Synaxis hirsutaria, Tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
hummingbirds, bees, birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from root crown following fire. Common in chaparral fire regimes.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification. May have erratic germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).

Source: Claude AI