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Smith, R.W.

Ribes cynosbati

Ribes cynosbati L.

Eastern Prickly Gooseberry

Grossulariaceae (Currant Family)

Synonym(s): Grossularia cynosbati, Ribes cynosbati var. atrox, Ribes cynosbati var. glabratum, Ribes cynosbati var. inerme, Ribes huronense

USDA Symbol: RICY

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The spreading branches of this erect, 2-5 ft. shrub may be prickly or smooth; both occuring on the same plant. The purplish berry is always bristly. The palmately lobed leaves and their petioles are hairy. Small whitish flowers occur in small clusters.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Fruit: Purple, Red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: W. N.B. & s. ME to Man., s. to w. NC, AL & OK
Native Habitat: Moist, rich, open woods

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Berries are favorites among birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FACU	FACU		FAC	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ribes cynosbati in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ribes cynosbati in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ribes cynosbati

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-24
Research By: TWC Staff

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