Description

There is some confusion between the many species of Gooseberries and Currants, but for the most part Gooseberries are prickly while Currants are smooth. Most Currants have saucer shaped flowers while Gooseberries have bell shaped ones. Northern Black Currant is sometimes also called Northern Gooseberry (Ribes hudsonium) and is smooth but has bell shaped flowers so it appears to be a link between both worlds. Another species that can be questionable is Ribes lacustre which goes by such common names Bristly Currant, Black Gooseberry or Swamp Gooseberry. You can see where this is going. Although bristly, this shrub has saucer shaped leaves so is it a Gooseberry or a Currant? At least we know Ribes oxyacanthoides is a Gooseberry and we have them available for your jams, pies and medicinal teas!