Generally un-common native perennial shrub planted at restoration sites. Flowers are white and red. Blooms winter to spring. Stems are spiny. This plant is summer deciduous (loses most of it's leaves during the dry season). Can be confused with Ribes speciosum (fuchsia-flowered gooseberry) which has red flowers and bristles (small spines) along the stem between the larger spines.

Ribes amarum (Bitter Gooseberry). NATIVE. Pictured in spring.

Ribes amarum (Bitter Gooseberry). NATIVE. Pictured in spring (close up of flowers and developing fruit).

Ribes amarum (Bitter Gooseberry). NATIVE. Pictured in spring (close up of flowers and developing fruit).

Ribes amarum (Bitter Gooseberry). NATIVE. pictured in summer.

Ribes amarum (Bitter Gooseberry). NATIVE. pictured in autumn (after first rains). Note: resprouting stems from base after drought die-back.