Ribes viscosissimum is a dicot and a perennial plant growing to 1–2 metres (3+1⁄4–6+1⁄2 ft) in height,[3] with a stem covered in sticky glandular hairs but lacking spines or bristles.

Blooming in early summer, the inflorescence comprise erect or drooping clusters of 4–15 bell-shaped flowers.

It grows at montane to lower subalpine elevations, along streambanks, in damp to dry woods,[3] on sagebrush plateaus and rocky slopes.

There have been reports of the following animal species as pollinators of this plant species or its genus where they overlap in geographical range: Bombus vagans, B. bifarius, B. centralis, B. fervidus, B. flavifrons, B. huntii, B. melanopygus, B. mixtus, B. nevadensis, B. terricola, B. sitkensis, and B. occidentalis.

Exhibits an intermediate range of ecological tolerance, typifies a stable phase of a native community, and persists but does not thrive with some natural or human disturbance As soon as the seeds are mature in the autumn, they should be sowed in a cool body.

Prior to sowing, cold stratifying stored seed at -2 to 0 °C for 3 months is commonly advised.

Prick out the seedlings pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, putting them out in late spring the following year.