Description

The Sierra gooseberry is a widespread montane species, excluded only by the deserts and portions of the Central Coast Ranges. It grows as a rounded shrub with round, lobed leaves. The leaves are dark green and smooth. Like all gooseberries, the branches are armed with bunches of short, fairly stout spines. Sierra gooseberry blooms in late winter and early spring. The pendent flowers are white and red. The flower display is quite impressive. The bristly fruit ripens in June or so, transitioning from green to yellow, orange or red. Sierra gooseberry goes dormant in the early fall, but will quickly leaf out with the onset of cold weather.