Grossulariaceae

Ribes lacustre

Black Swamp Gooseberry

Upright to spreading shrub, bark on older part of plant reddish brown. All branches and stems covered with small, sharp, yellow spines. Leaves 1–2 in. across, almost round, palmately divided into 3–7 lobes, toothed, hairless, upper side dark green, lower side lighter. Flowers 5–15 on hanging stalks, green or purple sepals, petals pinkish, 1/2–2/3 the length of the sepals. Fruit shiny black with black hairs. Grows on slopes and in swamps, seeps, along creeks, from coastline to mid elevations.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 2--4 feet
• Habitat: Coastal, West-Side Forest, Subalpine, Moist Riverbanks, Bog/Fen/Wetland
• Found In: Siskiyous, West Gorge, Columbia Basin, Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np, Crater Lake Np
• Native: Yes