Ribes uva-crispa
L.
European Gooseberry, English Gooseberry
(c) Arnold Wijker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Arnold Wijker
(c) josefwirth, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by josefwirth
(c) Kari Pihlaviita, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kari Pihlaviita
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Leaves - tea
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Berries picked when underripe are very firm and tart, making them well suited to pies and jams at that stage. Left on the plant until fully ripe and soft, the fruit becomes quite sweet and is pleasant eaten fresh. Wild plants typically produce fruit under 1cm in diameter, while named cultivars can produce berries up to 3cm across. Young, tender leaves can also be eaten raw in salads, though some caution is advised regarding toxicity.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. It grows on many soils. It can tolerate frost. They fruit well in cooler climates. They do well in medium to heavy well-drained soils. It grows in the high mountain belt in the Caucasus. It grows between 1,500-2,200 m above sea level. It is restricted in Canada and the USA because it helps spread white-pine blister-rust. They can be grown in the hills in Java. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Africa, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, China, Czech Republic, East Africa, Estonia, Europe, Falklands, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Korea, Kosovo, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe,
How to Identify
A small thorny shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows to 1-2 m tall. It spreads 1 m wide. The stems are thorny. The leaves are small and heart shaped. They have 3-5 lobes and teeth along the edges. The flowers are green. The fruit has a tough skin covered with spiky hairs. The fruit can be green or red.
Nutrition Score: 29/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit - ripe raw | 83.7 | 157 | 38 | 0.6 | 180 | 40 | 0.6 | 0.1 |
| Fruit - green raw | 89.9 | 73 | 17 | 1.1 | 180 | 40 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Fruit - green stewed | 91.4 | 62 | 15 | 0.9 | 150 | 31 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
How to Grow
Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Growth is often poor in light soils, whilst heavy soils encourage soft growth and excess vigour. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 6.5, though it can grow well in more acid or alkaline soils. It is important to add plenty of humus to chalky soil. Plants are quite tolerant of shade though do not fruit so well in such a position. They can be grown against east or north facing walls. The fruit of plants on north facing walls will ripen later, thus extending the fruiting season, though yields will be lower. Plants dislike very hot weather. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c, but the flowers and young fruits are susceptible to frost damage Plants are very susceptible to potash deficiency, especially when grown on alkaline soils. Gooseberries are commonly cultivated in temperate regions for their edible fruit, there are many named varieties. Birds love the fruit and so some protection is often required, especially if the fruit is being grown to full ripeness. Plants grow best in cool moist climates such as N. Europe. Plants fruit best on one and two year old wood so any pruning should be to encourage vigorous new shoots. Plants can harbour a stage of white pine blister rust, so should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months of cold stratification at 0–5°C and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Under normal storage conditions, seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, grow on in a cold frame through their first winter, and plant out in late spring the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10–15cm with a heel, can be taken in July or August and rooted in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood from the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, can be taken November to February in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors.
Medicinal Uses
The fruit is laxative. Stewed unripe gooseberries are used as a spring tonic to cleanse the system. The leaves have been used in the treatment of gravel, and an infusion taken before the monthly periods is said to be a useful tonic for growing girls. The leaves contain tannin and have been used as an astringent in the treatment of dysentery and wounds.
Other Uses
The fruit pulp is used in cosmetic face masks for its cleansing effect on greasy skin.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Ribes uva-crispa, commonly known as the gooseberry or European gooseberry, is a species of flowering shrub native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and southwestern Asia. It belongs to the family Grossulariaceae, which includes currants and gooseberries. The plant is cultivated for its edible fruit, which is used in culinary applications ranging from desserts to preserves.
Other Information
The unripe juice contain amino acids good for health. They are sold in local markets. It is cultivated.
Notes
There are about 150 Ribes species.
Names & Synonyms
American gooseberry, Bektasi uzumu, Cu li, Egres, Escrebene, Fuge, Gigadze, Groseille a maquareau, Groseillier, Grosella blanca, Grosellero, Karusmari, Khurt'k'meli, Kikerberi, Kokrosheni, Kosmulja, Kryhovnik, Khurt'k'meli, Kruisbes, Maru suguri, Stachelbeere, Stikkelsbaer, Tikker, Uva spina
References (65)
- Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 1374 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 156 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 118
- Brouk, B., 1975, Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press, London. p 175 (As Grossularia reclinata)
- Bussman, R. W., et al, 2016, A comparative ethnobotany of Khevsureti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Tusheti, Svaneti, and Racha-Lechkhumi, Republic of Georgia (Sakartvelo), Caucasus. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2016) 12:4 (As Grossularia reclinata) (Also as Ribes grossularia)
- Bussman, R. W. et al, 2017, Ethnobotany of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Sakartvelo (Republic of Georgia), Caucasus. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 16(1) pp 7-24 (As Grossularia reclinata)
- Bussman, R. W., et al, 2021, Unity in diversity—food plants and fungi of Sakartvelo (Republic of Georgia), Caucasus. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2021) 17:72 p 9 (Also as Grossularia reclinata and Ribes grossularia)
- Chamorro, M. F., & Ladio, A., 2020, Native and exotic plants with edible fleshy fruits utilized in Patagonia and their role as sources of local functional foods. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 20:155
- Cerne, M., 1992, Wild Plants from Slovenia used as Vegetables. Acta Horticulturae 318
- Cheifetz, A., (ed), 1999, 500 popular vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts for Australian Gardeners. Random House p 243
- Christanell, A., et al, 2010, The Cultural Significance of Wild Gathered Plant Species in Kartitsch (Eastern Tyrol, Austria) and the Influence of Socioeconomic Changes on Local Gathering Practices. Chapter 3 in Ethnobotany in the New Europe. Berghahn Books.
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1207
- Denes, A., et al, 2012, Wild plants used for food by Hungarian ethnic groups living in the Carpathian Basin. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81 (4): 381-396
- Ertug, F, Yenen Bitkiler. Resimli Türkiye Florası -I- Flora of Turkey - Ethnobotany supplement
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 120 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Flowerdew, B., 2000, Complete Fruit Book. Kyle Cathie Ltd., London. p 72 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Gard. dict. ed. 8: Grossularia no. 1. 1768 (As Grossularia reclinata)
- Girard, N. J., 2020, Sustainable Foraging of Wild Edible Plants in Norway. A Biocultural Approach. M. Sc. thesis Norwegian University. p 131
- Glowinski, L., 1999, The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia. Lothian. p 167 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Gouldstone, S., 1983, Growing your own Food-bearing Plants in Australia. Macmillan p 97 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Hakkinen, S. H., et al, 1999, Content of the Flavonols Quercetin, Myricetin, and Kaemferol in 25 Edible Berries. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 47: 2274-2279
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 563 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Hermandez Bermejo, J.E., and Leon, J. (Eds.), 1994, Neglected Crops. 1492 from a different perspective. FAO Plant Production and Protection Series No 26. FAO, Rome. p 30 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A., and Seberg, O. 2007, Flowering Plant Families of the World. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. p 160
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 252
- http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
- Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 426 (As Ribes grossularis)
- INFOODS:FAO/INFOODS Databases
- Jackes, D. A., 2007, Edible Forest Gardens
- John, L., & Stevenson, V., 1979, The Complete Book of Fruit. Angus & Robertson p 137 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Kalle, R. & Soukand, R., 2012, Historical ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants of Estonia (1770s-1960s) Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81(4):271-281
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 748 (As Ribes reclinatum)
- Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1779 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Kremer, B.P., 1995, Shrubs in the Wild and in Gardens. Barrons. p 142
- Ladio, A., Lozada, M. & M. Weigandt, 2007, Comparison of traditional wild plant knowledge between aboriginal communities inhabiting arid and forest environments in Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Arid Environments 69 (2007) 695–715 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 205
- Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 205 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Luczaj, L., 2012, Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants of Slovakia. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81(4):245-255
- Luczaj, L. et al, 2013, Wild edible plants of Belarus: from Rostakinski's questionnaire of 1883 to the present. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 9:21
- Mabey, R., 1973, Food for Free. A Guide to the edible wild plants of Britain, Collins. p 175
- Macmillan, H.F. (Revised Barlow, H.S., et al) 1991, Tropical Planting and Gardening. Sixth edition. Malayan Nature Society. Kuala Lumpur. p 318
- Maghradze, D. et al, 2012, Minor and Underutilized Fruits in Georgia and Their Wild Relatives. In Acta Horticulturae Number 948 p 41-47 (As Grossularia reclinata)
- Medsger, O. P., 1939, Edible Wild Plants. Macmillan Company. p 20 (As Grossularia reclinata)
- Menendez-Baceta, G., et al, 2012, Wild edible plants traditionally gathered in Gorbeialdea (Biscay, Basque Country) Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 59:1329-1347
- Nanagulyan, S., et al, 2020, Wild plants and fungi sold in the markets of Yerevan (Armenia). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 16:26
- Nassif, F., & Tanji, A., 2013, Gathered food plants in Morocco: The long forgotten species in Ethnobotanical Research. Life Science Leaflets 3:17-54
- Pardo-de-Santayana, M., et al, 2005, The gathering and consumption of wild edible plants in the Campoo (Cantabria, Spain). International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 56(7): 529-542
- Pardo-de-Santayana, M., et al, 2007, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal): a comparative study. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2007, 3:27
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Postman, J. D., et al, 2012, Recent NPGS Coordinated Expeditions in the Trans-Caucasus Region to Collect Wild Relatives of Temperate Fruit and Nut Crops. In Acta Horticulturae Number 948 p 191-198
- Rawat, G.S., & Pangtey, Y.P.S., 1987, A Contribution to the Ethnobotany of Alpine Regions of Kumaon. J. Econ. Tax. Bot. Vol. 11 No. 1 pp 139-147 (var. sativum)
- Redzic, S. J., 2006, Wild Edible Plants and their Traditional Use in the Human Nutrition in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 45:189-232
- Sfikas, G., 1984, Trees and shrubs of Greece. Efstathiadis Group. Athens. p 58 (As Ribes grossularia)
- Simkova, K. et al, 2014, Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants used in the Czech Republic. Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality 88, 49-67
- Smith, P.M., 1979, Gooseberry, in Simmonds, N.W., (ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 309
- Soukand, R. & Kalle, R., 2016, Perceiving the Biodiversity of Food at Chest-height: use of the Fleshy Fruits of Wild Trees and Shrubs in Saaremaa, Estonia. Hum Ecol 44:265–272
- Sp. pl. 1:201. 1753
- Svanberg, I., 2012, The use of wild plants as food in pre-industrial Sweden. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81(4): 317-327
- Tardio, J., et al, Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain. Botanical J. Linnean Soc. 152 (2006), 27-71
- Upson, R., & Lewis R., 2014, Updated Vascular Plant Checklist and Atlas for the Falkland Islands. Falklands Conservation and Kew.
- USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/econ.pl (10 April 2000)
- van Wyk, B., 2005, Food Plants of the World. An illustrated guide. Timber press. p 323
- Vorstenbosch, T., et al, 2017, Famine food of vegetal origin consumed in the Netherlands during World War II. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2017) 13:63
- Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 592
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
More from Grossulariaceae
