Splitrock Environmental
Black Gooseberry (sxniz’)
$7.50
The Black Gooseberry produces dark purple berries that are eaten fresh, or more commonly made into jam. The gooseberry bush is 0.5 – 2 m tall, covered with many small prickles, and has somewhat maple shaped leaves. It grows widespread in the south interior of BC in forests and clearings.
| Latin Name | Ribes lacustre | |
| Type | Shrub | |
| Height and Spread | 0.5 – 2 m tall. | Up to 2 m in spread. |
| Bloom Colour | Reddish, saucer shaped flowers with small pink to purple petals. | |
| Bloom Months | Early spring. | |
| Foliage Colour | Green leaves with brown to cinnamon coloured stems. | |
| Seed Months | Mid to late Summer. | |
| Light and Water | Rocky slopes, clearings, and open forests. | Dry to moist soil. |
| Ethnobotany Information | Black Gooseberries are widespread and were eaten by all interior Indigenous peoples. They can be eaten fresh, cooked into a sauce or jam, or made into a tea said to be good for colds. They leaves of the bush were also made into a tea used medicinally for colds and diarrhea. | |
| Wildlife Uses | The berries from Black Gooseberry bushes are widely eaten by many species of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and insects. | |
| Garden Uses | Black Gooseberries are great for gardens for their tasty berries and adaptability to a large variety of conditions. One should note that the spines of gooseberry bushes cause allergic reactions in some people. | |
| Facts | While Black Gooseberries are widespread and native to this area, in other parts of North America they are considered an invasive species and are banned from being planted. | |
| Propagation Techniques | Black Gooseberry plants can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. Cuttings can easier as the germination process for gooseberries can be complex. | |
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