Sierra Gooseberry
Ribes roezlii
Grossulariaceae · broadleaf · native
Sierra gooseberry is a compact, spiny deciduous shrub reaching about 4 feet, with stout spines (1-3 per node) that arm the branches. The small alternate leaves (to 2.5 cm long) are divided into three or five rounded, toothed lobes. In spring, pendent (hanging) flowers appear, each with five reflexed red-purple sepals surrounding a tube-shaped ring of smaller white or pinkish petals from which
Sierra gooseberry is a plant for dry, sunny to partly shaded sites on rocky, mineral-sparse soils; once established it is very drought tolerant. The spines deter browsing, making it useful for barrier plantings. The gooseberries are edible, though seedy; they ripen in midsummer and are valued by native peoples.