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Ribes rotundifolium

Ribes rotundifolium Michx.

Appalachian Gooseberry, Wild Gooseberry, Round-leaf Currant

Grossulariaceae (Currant Family)

Synonym(s): Grossularia rotundifolia, Ribes stamineum, Ribes triflorum

USDA Symbol: RIRO2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A much-branched, 3-5 ft. shrub with broadly rounded, palmately lobed leaves. The stems are firm with small spines at the nodes and bristly internodes. Small, tubular flowers occur in clusters and are green, sometimes tinged with red. A many-seeded berry follows.

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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.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Purple or greenish

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: CT , DC , MA , MD , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
Native Distribution: CT & NY, s. to NC & e. TN
Native Habitat: Rocky, upland woods; open mt. slopes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rich, rocky soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Berries are favorites among birds.
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.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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