Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database


Ribes menziesii (Prickly Gooseberry, Menzie's Gooseberry)

Kingdom

 Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom

 Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision

 Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division

 Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class

 Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass

 Rosidae

Order

 Rosales

Family

 Grossulariaceae – Currant family

Genus

 Ribes L. – currant

Species

 Ribes menziesii Pursh – canyon gooseberry

This gooseberry is a 3-6’ shrub with semi-deciduous lobed leaves.

It has a limited native range along the California coast and the southern coast of Oregon, USDA zones 8-9.

Prickly Gooseberry is grown more for its ornamental flowers than for its berries. The fuchsia-like blooms are white and purple and are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Larger birds are partial to the fruit, so this is a great plant for wildlife habitat.

Prickly Gooseberry prefers part shade and is very draught tolerant making it quite compatible to the woodland setting.

Will drop leaves in severe heat or drought stress. Mulching or indirect watering is recommended if this condition should occur. If watered directly in summer the plant will be susceptible to root rot.

For a short comparison of northwest native currants, click here.

 
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