Habitat and Range
Gooseberries inhabit most of the Sierra Nevada in shady woods and dry soils, commonly growing at the base of large trees. They also thrive in moist soils and on steep slopes below 11,000ft.
Physical Description
It is often difficult to identify this genus to a species since there are 120 of them. Concentrate primarily on the leaf shape, which is similar to a maple leaf (palmately lobed generally 3-5 times). Some species have leaves up to 3 inches wide, but most are approximately 1 inch wide and have 1-2 inch long petioles (or leaf-stems). Gooseberries have spines on the leaf nodes and frequently on the berries. The plant stem grows about three feet long and can be branched. The tube-like Gooseberry flowers bloom along the stem usually one per node. The berry forms from the fertilized ovary which bears a forbidding mass of bristles. It turns red to purple when ripe and has many seeds.
Food Uses
The entire genus of Ribes has edible berries and are abundant almost anywhere in the Sierra, especially on the western slope. Ribes can be eaten raw or cooked in pies or crisps. They also make a great jelly. The bristles can be avoided by gently folding them aside as you puncture the berry and scrape out the innards.
NOTE: All species of Ribes are edible. However, some are more desirable than others.
Medicinal Uses
None known at this time.
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