English gooseberry

shrub

Also known as: European gooseberry, Ribes grossularia, Ribes uvacrispa, grossularia(Show More)

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June 26, 2026

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The English gooseberry, scientifically known as Ribes grossularia, is a shrub native to Eurasia. It is cultivated for its tart, edible fruit, which is commonly used in jellies, preserves, pies, and wines. The bushes are spiny and produce greenish flowers, followed by oval berries that can be white, red, yellow, or green. These hardy shrubs thrive in cool, humid climates and can be grown from cuttings, bearing fruit for 10 to 20 years. While popular in Europe, Ribes grossularia is susceptible to mildews and rusts, making it less common in the United States, where it is also illegal to grow in some areas due to its role as an alternate host for white-pine blister rust.123

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gooseberry
Major species
…common commercial fruits are the English gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa), popularly called grossularia, which are native to the Old World and have long been cultivated. In Europe the large-fruited cultivated gooseberries became naturalized. Grossularia do not prosper in the United States, because they are susceptible to mildews and rusts. Because they…
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…common commercial fruits are the English gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa), popularly called grossularia, which are native to the Old World and have long been cultivated. In Europe the large-fruited cultivated gooseberries became naturalized. Grossularia do not prosper in the United States, because they are susceptible to mildews and rusts. Because they…
Read More

ribes
Major species
…their edible fruit include the English, or European, gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa); American gooseberry (R. hirtellum); black currant (R. nigrum); buffalo currant (R. odoratum); downy, or Nordic, currant (R. spicatum); and common, or garden or red, currant (R. rubrum).
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…their edible fruit include the English, or European, gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa); American gooseberry (R. hirtellum); black currant (R. nigrum); buffalo currant (R. odoratum); downy, or Nordic, currant (R. spicatum); and common, or garden or red, currant (R. rubrum).
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