Plant Details

Ribes cynosbati

Dogberry, Eastern prickly gooseberry

Back

Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Ribes cynosbati.

Use this plant

Log in to add this plant to your recipes.

Log in

Common names

14 names · 11 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Dogberry
  • Eastern prickly gooseberry[1]
  • prickly gooseberry[2]
Other languages (10)
Dutch
  • Bergstekelbes
  • Stekelige Stekelbes
French
  • Groseillier des chiens[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • srstka šípková[2]
Estonian
  • koer-karusmari[2]
German
  • Hunds-Stachelbeere[2]
Ojibwe
  • Meskwa'cabo'mînûk[2]
Russian
  • Крыжовник шиповниковидный[2]
Slovak
  • egreš šípkový[2]
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Ribes cynosbati L. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Eastern prickly gooseberry — VernacularName.tsv, line 174015; taxon 4SY9R.
[2] Ribes cynosbati — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • prickly gooseberry — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • srstka šípková — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • Meskwa'cabo'mînûk — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • Крыжовник шиповниковидный — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • koer-karusmari — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • 刺鵝莓 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • 刺鹅莓 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • groseillier des chiens — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • Hunds-Stachelbeere — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.
  • egreš šípkový — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 84803; Ribes cynosbati.

General information

Scientific name: Ribes cynosbati
Accepted name (Kew): Ribes cynosbati L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Grossulariaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Ribes (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Dogberry, Eastern prickly gooseberry

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous

Leaf retention described in the New England flora.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3-7
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
None

Description

Gooseberries can be eaten raw or cooked in dishes such as pies, jelly, and preserves due to their pleasant, slightly sour taste. They are also refreshing and hydrating. The fruits, with a diameter of about 10 mm, are covered with short, soft hair and can even be dried for later consumption.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/07
Harvest ends: 15/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 556306; name ID 2426003; Ribes L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 555369; name ID 2426107; Ribes cynosbati L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Ribes cynosbati

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1146291, ID 4SY9R: Ribes cynosbati L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. Native Plant Trust; Go Botany Ribes cynosbati — Go Botany
    Supports: Foliage
    Relevant sections
    • Foliage: Leaf duration

    Source checked on .