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This article discusses cultivation, uses and preservation of ''Ribes divaricatum''. This plant can perform excellently in a forest garden as part of the shrub layer.<ref name=crawford2016 />
This article discusses cultivation, uses and preservation of ''Ribes divaricatum''. This plant can perform excellently in a temperate climate [[forest garden]] as part of the shrub layer.<ref name=crawford2016 />
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
Family: Grossulariaceae
Family: Grossulariaceae

Revision as of 19:27, 19 March 2019

Template:Italic title This article discusses cultivation, uses and preservation of Ribes divaricatum. This plant can perform excellently in a temperate climate forest garden as part of the shrub layer.[1]

Taxonomy

Family: Grossulariaceae

Genus: Ribes

Species: R. divaricatum

There are 3 synonyms:

  • Grossularia divaricata (Douglas) Coville and Britton.[2][3]
  • Grossularia irrigua S.Watson.[3]
  • Ribes suksdorfii A.Heller.[3]

Varieties

3 recognized.[2] Only latter 2 recognized by some.[3]

R. d. var. divaricatum - White petals. Found in Britich Columbia, Oregon, and Washington state.[2]

R. d. var. parishii - Also termed Ribes parishii, or Grossularia parishii,[2] common name "Parish’s gooseberry ". Petals pink to red.[2] Last seen 1980, thought to be extinct due to dry years, altered stream flows, human‐caused fires, habitat loss, and invasive species.[4]

R. d. var. pubiflorum - White petals. Found in Oregon and California, USA.[2]

Common names

  • Spreading-branched gooseberry (Royal Horticultural Society accepted name).[5]
  • Spreading gooseberry.[6]
  • Worcesterberry.[5]
  • North American Worcesterberry.[6]
  • Coast(al) Black Gooseberry.[6]
  • Straggly gooseberry.[6]
  • Coast Gooseberry.[7]
  • Wild Black Gooseberry.[7]
  • Wild Gooseberry.[8]
  • Oregon Stachelbeere.[7]
  • White-stem gooseberry.[9]

Etymology

From Latin divarico meaning "spread out"

Range

It is native to western North America, from British Columbia to California.[8] It has been introduced and is established in the wild in Norway,[3] and the UK.[10]

History

Some Native American groups of the Pacific Northwest foraged the berries.[8] The bark and other parts had medicinal uses.[8] The first published description of this species was by David Douglas in 1830.[11]

Morphology

Mature height approximately 1.7 - 3.4 m tall with a maximum spread of 1 - 1.5m.[8][1] Deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub.[1] The woody branches have 0 - 3 woody thorns at each leaf node.[8]

From the leaf nodes, Leaves are borne on 1 - 3cm long petioles and are palmate and edged with teeth, and are up to 6cm long.[8][2]

The flowers take the form of small, hanging flower clusters,[8] or single flowers each of 2 - 4 cm in length.[2] They are greenish - purple.[1] with long, protruding stamen resembling fushias.[8]

Fruit is purplish-black (when ripe), subglobose (nearly round), and glabrous (hairless). Each fruit is 6 - 12mm in diameter.[2]

Behaviour

Growth habit is of a shrub. It is perennial and deciduous, becoming dormant in winter but with persistent woody stems above ground.

Reproduction

Flowering occurs in April.[6] The plant is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs),[6] and is self-fertile (one plant will fruit by itself).[1] It is insect pollinated.[6] Seeds ripen between July to August.[6]

Hardiness

USDA Hardiness Zone 4 - 8.[6] Hardy to about -20°c

Soil Type

Tolerates most soil types.[1] Ideal soil type is moisture retentive but well-drained loam or at least moderate quality.[8]

Soil pH

Tolerance range is 4.8 - 8.2.[8]

Shade Preference

Full sun.[1]

Shade Tolerance

Tolerates moderate shade (approximately 20% shade / 1-2 hours of direct sun).[1]

Aspect

Exposure

Propagation

Hardwood cuttings (i.e. from fully matured stems) can be taken in late autumn (during dormancy).[1]

The shrub can send out suckers, which can be propagated by carefully digging out the root and cutting it from the main plant.

From seed, greatest chance of success is as soon as ripe in autumn, using a cold frame.[6]

Seed can remain viable for up to 17 years or more.[6] Stored seed will require 4 - 5 months of 0 - 9 °c cold stratification to germinate from dormancy.[6]

Maintenance

The plant is moderately easy to care for.[8]

Watering

Low water requirements.[8]

Pruning

May require pruning to keep from spreading.[1]

Problems

Can harbour a stage of white pine blister rust (do not grow near pines).[6] The genus Ribes is susceptible to honey fungus.[6]

Birds may eat the fruit.[6]

Harvest

Berries start green and turn black when ripe. Berries can be harvested before they are fully ripe assuming they will be cooked.[6] Berries can be left hanging on the bush until Autumn, but birds may eat them.[6]

Preservation

Once harvested, fruits will be edible for 1 - 2 weeks.[1] Fruits can be turned in to fruit leather but require thickening.[1]

Uses

  • Fruit - fruits are edible by humans
  • Hedging - large thorns can make this plant suitable in hedges to deter animals,[1] such as deer.[8]
  • Bee plant - attracts bees and other insect pollinators.[1]
  • Attracts other wildlife - e.g. butterflies and brids.[8]
  • Cultivation of crosses and hybrids - e.g. R. divaricatum was used in the creation of the "Jostaberry" plant.W
  • Graft stock for gooseberries and currants.[7]

Nutritional Values

Cooking

Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.[6] Young leaves and unripe fruit can be used to make a sauce.[6] Can be used to make jams, pies, etc.[1]

References

Template:Reflist

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