Ribes inerme is a species of currant known by the common names whitestem gooseberry and white stemmed gooseberry. It is native to western North America.
Description Ribes inerme is an erect or spreading thicketlike shrub approaching in maximum height. The stem is hairless or bristly and has black resin glands and spines at its nodes. The leaves are wide, divided deeply into three to five toothed lobes which may be divided partway into smaller lobes.Flora of North America: Ribes inerme (whitestem gooseberry)
The inflorescence is a solitary flower or raceme of up to five flowers which hangs pendent. The flower has five reddish green sepals which are reflexed upward. At the center are white or pinkish petals and protruding stamens and stigmas.
The fruit is an edible hairless greenish, purple, or black berry roughly wide.
Varieties Ribes inerme var. inermeCalflora taxon report, University of California: Ribes inerme var. inerme Ribes inerme var. klamathense – Klamath gooseberry<ref name="klamath">[http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=7122 Calflora taxon report, University of California: Ribes inerme var. ''klamathense]</ref>
Distribution and habitat It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California and eastward to the Rocky Mountains.Calflora taxon report, University of California . accessed 3.23.2013 It grows in mountain forests, woodlands, and meadows.
The less common Ribes inerme var. klamathense, known as Klamath gooseberry''', is confined to the states of California and Oregon. References
External links Jepson Manual Treatment — Ribes inerme Calflora taxon report, University of California: Ribes inerme (white stemmed gooseberry) Ribes inerme Calphotos Photo gallery, University of California