Chaparral Currant

Ribes malvaceum

Native to:
Mexico, United States

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Grossulariaceae
Genus:
Ribes
Species:
Ribes malvaceum
USDA Symbol:
RIMA

Growth Characteristics

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

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (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

Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire. Common in chaparral and oak woodland communities with periodic fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to chaparral and coastal scrub areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification. Germination can be erratic; light may improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: Claude AI