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Ribes missouriense
About three feet high, relatively sparse leaves. Berries small and smooth.
Dry, almost gravelly, crappy soil in a new-growth forest area on the edge of a lawn. These plants are TOUGH.
The bushes I've found are short, scraggly, and seem to die back every fall. I've tasted them, and they're very bitter, even when ripened to a deep purple color.
2 Comments
I'm starting to wonder if the awful growing conditions take a harsh toll on the plants in my yard in particular- teeny tiny berries and they seem to ripen at totally random times. I've never seen a vendor -selling- this particular type of gooseberry, though! Very cool! :]
That is a cool plant! I'm surprised we don't get them here--apparently we're just outside the range. (At least one place sells them as an edible, but they must have done some heavy breeding if they're that bitter!)