Coast Black Gooseberry

Coast black gooseberry is a straggling, long-branched deciduous shrub reaching 3-8 feet, found from British Columbia to northern California on the west slope of the Cascades. The rounded leaves (2-6 cm wide) are three to five-lobed with regularly toothed margins.

Coast black gooseberry prefers partial shade to full sun and moist, well-drained soil; it is found naturally in woodlands and creek corridors. Provide occasional summer water during establishment and in drier years. The plant has small spines at leaf nodes that are less menacing than those of other gooseberries. The black berries are edible, though not particularly flavorful.