Synonyms: Limnobotrya montigena, Ribes lacustre var. molle,
Ribes lentum, Ribes molle, Ribes nubigneum Alpine prickly
currant blooming at Indian Springs Campground, Malheur National
Forest..............July 1, 2010. Note the glandular upper
surface of the leaves which differentiates this species from the
similar prickly currant (Ribes lacustre) which has glabrous
upper leaf surfaces (and usually larger leaves). Alpine prickly
currant is a a low shrub with straggly branches ranging from
20-100 cm high. It is a densely short-pubescent and glandular
species with 1-5 flattened spines at the nodes from 4-6 mm long
and a few shorter, slender bristles or spines between the nodes.
The leaves are deeply 5-lobed with hear-shaped bases and with
the lobes deeply cleft and coarsely toothed. Individual leaves
are 1.5-3 cm wide are haired above and covered with numerous
stalked glands. The inflorescences consist of short axillary
racemes of 4-10 whitish, pinkish or purplish flowers. The
pedicels are 1-5 cm long and jointed.