17 Gooseberry
Image of the Plant You are Viewing
Basic Information about this shrub
Branch Structure: forms a small shrub with long vine-like branches. Gooseberry stems are often very prickly. Stems and branches have 1 to 3 well developed, straight, stout, ¼″ to 11 ⁄16″ long, reddish-brown spines just below the nodes, though these are sometimes absent. The stems also have straight, strong, slender, up to ¼″ long, brown bristles between the nodes. The branches have fewer bristles or no bristles between the nodes, especially near the top of the plant. The bristles are abundant on the lower ½ or ⅓ of the stem and on the larger branches but are absent from the upper stem and smaller branches.
Typical height and width at maturity: stem length 2ft to 7ft
Typical longevity: 10-25 years
Flower Details: monoecious, complete flowers with male and female parts in the same bloom
Typical Pollination Mechanism: Insects
Soil, water, sunlight preferences: Does best in moist rich soil, not too dry. Grows well in shady areas of forest understory, tolerates more sun
Growth habit of roots: Gooseberries are shallow-rooted with the roots primarily located in the top eight to 16 in. (20 to 40 cm) of the soil. The spread of the root system does not usually extend beyond the canopy of the plant.
GPS Location of the plant you are viewing: 45.00302 N 92.90341 W
Mature vine in Summer
Leaves in Summer / Fall
Leaves are ½ to 1¼ inches long and about as wide, nearly round in outline, with 3 to 5 primary lobes that are notched or shallowly lobed
Flowers - Monoecious with Female & Male parts in the same bloom
Gooseberry bears clusters of 1 to 3 short-stalked flowers arising from leaf axils all along branching stems. Flowers are ¼ to 1/3 inch long, generally bell-shaped, with 5 short, erect, greenish-white petals that are sometimes tinged with purple. Inside the tube are 5 creamy-tipped stamens that are as long as or slightly longer than the petals
Berries Unripe / Ripe
Gooseberry Fruit is a smooth, round berry about ½ inch diameter when mature, ripening from green to reddish purple to purplish black. Berries often have a dry “pigtail” at the end opposite the stem.
Uses in Traditional and Modern Eras
Value for wildlife: “High wildlife value”
Utility for Humans: gooseberries are collected to eat fresh, use in confections like pies, to preserve, or to use in making jellies and jams. They are edible in either the green stage or the ripe stage but get sweeter with age
Traditional uses in Native American Tree Medicine (historical), Information provided by Paul Red Elk, Lakota Medicine Man: My elder teachers said that gooseberries were collected for older American Indians who suffered with heart issues, or poor circulation. The juice was boiled down to use as cough syrup. When it was cooked down the juice became a little sweeter. The pulp of the leaves is antiseptic and applied to wounds and to treat other skin issues.
Homeowner’s Corner
Gooseberries are relatively easy to grow and yield rewarding, tart berries perfect for pies and jellies. Gooseberry plants do well in a home garden and are an excellent option for fruit production in very cold climates as they are hardy to zone 3.
Links & References
Links to related interesting information: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/northern-gooseberry