Grossulariaceae

Ribes divaricatum

Coast Black Gooseberry

Shrub with arching stems. Stems may or may not be bristled, with few to many stout spines at nodes. Leaves deciduous, widely heart-shaped, 1–2 in. across, palmately lobed, toothed, hairy on underside. Flowers 3–5 on stalks hanging under leaves, sepals purplish or greenish purple, more or less reflexed, petals in center shorter, erect, white, pink, or red, stamens extending beyond petals. Berries shiny black. Grows in wet areas, edges of forests, from coastal bluffs to alpine. Var. divaricatum has white petals, grows at top of range on Mount Rainier.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Early Spring
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 3--9 feet
• Habitat: West-Side Forest, Coastal, Meadow
• Found In: Mt. Rainier Np, West Gorge, Olympic Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes