Spreading shrub to 1m or so tall. Branches with 1-3 thorns at the nodes. Leaves to about 6 cm wide, with rounded lobes, base rounded, softly hairy below, the margins with large, rounded teeth. Flower clusters of 1-3 flowers. Flowers green or pinkish; late spring to early summer. Fruit yellow-green, downy.
Syn. R. grossularia L.
This is the edible Gooseberry once a popular ingredient for jams and pies. Grown for hundreds of years, gooseberries require intense cold for best flavour. Early selection was by the French and Dutch and, by the late 18th century, the British. In Australia they are grown in small quantities for boutique markets.
NE and C Europe.
Source: (2002). Grossulariaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
Ribes uva-crispa 'Roaring Lion'
Berries green-striped, turning reddish purple. 'Captivator', 'Careless', 'Crown Bob', 'Leveller' and 'Yorkshire Champion' are also listed. R. cynosbati l., Dogberry (Dog Bramble, Prickle Gooseberry), from e usa is occasionally cultivated; it has arching branches, bell-shaped flowers with greenish sepals and petals and dark red edible fruit. R. menziesii Pursh, Canyon Gooseberry, from w usa has extremely bristly young shoots, bell-shaped purple flowers with petals rolled inwards, and bristly black fruit.