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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Ribes uva-crispa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; North Wall. By. East Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 2, 5, 7, 61]. The fruit is often picked when under-ripe and very firm, it has a very tart flavour at this time and is mainly used in making pies, jams etc. However, if the fruit is allowed to remain on the plant until it is fully ripe and soft it becomes quite sweet and is delicious for eating out of hand[K]. The fruit of the wild species is often less than 1cm in diameter, but named cultivars have considerably larger fruits up to 3cm in diameter[K]. Leaves- raw. The young and tender leaves can be eaten in salads[4]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent Dysentery Laxative Miscellany
The fruit is laxative[7]. Stewed unripe gooseberries are used as a spring tonic to cleanse the system[4]. The leaves have been used in the treatment of gravel[4]. An infusion taken before the monthly periods is said to be a useful tonic for growing girls[4]. The leaves contain tannin and have been used as an astringent to treat dysentery and wounds[7].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality[11, 200]. Growth is often poor in light soils, whilst heavy soils encourage soft growth and excess vigour[200]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 6.5[200], though it can grow well in more acid or alkaline soils[K]. It is important to add plenty of humus to chalky soil[K]. Plants are quite tolerant of shade though do not fruit so well in such a position[11]. They can be grown against east or north facing walls[37]. The fruit of plants on north facing walls will ripen later, thus extending the fruiting season, though yields will be lower[K]. Plants dislike very hot weather[37]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[200], but the flowers and young fruits are susceptible to frost damage Plants are very susceptible to potash deficiency[1], especially when grown on alkaline soils[K]. Gooseberries are commonly cultivated in temperate regions for their edible fruit, there are many named varieties[183, 200]. Birds love the fruit and so some protection is often required, especially if the fruit is being grown to full ripeness[K]. Plants grow best in cool moist climates such as N. Europe[200]. Plants fruit best on one and two year old wood so any pruning should be to encourage vigorous new shoots[200]. Plants can harbour a stage of white pine blister rust, so should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees[155]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 2. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at between 0 and 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[113, 164]. Under normal storage conditions the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[78, 113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, November to February in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors[78, 200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
American gooseberry, Cu li, Egres, Fuge, Gigadze, Groseille a maquareau, Groseillier, Grosella blanca, Grosellero, Kikerberi, Kryhovnik, Maru suguri, Stachelbeere, Uva spina,
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, China, Czech Republic, East Africa, Estonia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Embelia ribes | False black pepper, White-flowered Embelia | Climber | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | S | M | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Rheum ribes | | Perennial | 1.5 |
5-9
| | MH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes aciculare | | Shrub | 1.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes alpinum | Alpine Currant | Shrub | 1.2 |
2-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Ribes altissimum | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes ambiguum | | Shrub | 0.6 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes americanum | American Blackcurrant | Shrub | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes aureum | Golden Currant | Shrub | 2.4 |
3-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Ribes bracteosum | Stink Currant | Shrub | 2.5 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes burejense | Bureja gooseberry, | Shrub | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Ribes californicum | Hillside Gooseberry | Shrub | 0.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes cereum | Wax Currant | Shrub | 1.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes curvatum | Granite gooseberry | Shrub | 1.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes cynosbati | Dogberry, Eastern prickly gooseberry | Shrub | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Ribes diacanthum | Siberian currant | Shrub | 1.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes distans | | Shrub | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes divaricatum | Coastal Black Gooseberry, Spreading gooseberry, Parish's gooseberry, Straggly gooseberry | Shrub | 2.7 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Ribes fasciculatum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ribes fragrans | | Shrub | 0.6 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes gayanum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes glaciale | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes glandulosum | Skunk Currant | Shrub | 0.4 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Ribes griffithii | | Shrub | 2.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes himalense | | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | |
| Ribes hirtellum | Currant-Gooseberry, Hairystem gooseberry | Shrub | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Ribes horridum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes hudsonianum | Hudson Bay Currant, Northern black currant, Western black currant | Shrub | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes inebrians | Whisky Currant | Shrub | 2.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes inerme | Whitestem Gooseberry, Klamath gooseberry | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes irriguum | Idaho Gooseberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
|
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Author
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Botanical References
1117200
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