Ribes Ribes Ribes is a genus of about 150 known species of flowering plants native throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is usually treated as the only genus in the family Grossulariaceae, but a few taxonomists place the gooseberry species in a separate genus of "Grossularia". Sometimes "Ribes" is instead included in the family Saxifragaceae. The genus "Ribes" includes the edible currants (blackcurrant, redcurrant, white currant), the gooseberry, and several hybrid varieties. It should not be confused with the dried currant used in cakes and puddings, which is a small-fruited cultivar of grape (Zante currant). "Ribes" gives its
Ribes malvaceum source in habitat gardens. It thrives under oaks in bright dry conditions, and in many other locations. Pollination ecologists have reported the plant important as a honey plant for attracting large numbers of native bees. Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum, the chaparral currant, is a member of the Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family). It is native to California and northern Baja California, where it occurs from sea level to , in chaparral, foothill oak woodland, and closed-cone pine forest habitats. "Ribes malvaceum" typically grows tall. This perennial shrub lacks the characteristic nodal spines which are demonstrated on the stems of many other members