The deciduous leaves are palmate, alternately arranged, and 2.5–5 centimetres (1–2 in) wide,[5] usually with 5 deeply indented lobes and a heart-shaped base.

[7] Racemes of 5 to 15 pink disk-shaped flowers hang from stems covered with short hairs, bristles and, at leaf nodes, larger thick spines.

It occurs in moist woods and forests, meadow margins, streambanks, and on rough terrain such as avalanche chutes and rock crevices.

[3] The White pine blister rust uses Ribes species as part of its life cycle as an alternate host.

[12][page needed] Most indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast ate the berries, although the Sechelt considered them poisonous.

The berries were eaten fresh when ripe, though they were not collected for storage due to their small size and low numbers.

Like Devil's club, the spines of the plant were believed by some groups to have special protective powers against snakes and evil influences.