Canadian Gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides ssp. oxyacanthoides)

Life history

Species overview

Canadian Gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides ssp. oxyacanthoides), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in cool, open habitats such as talus forests, bluff edges, and moist flats between dunes. Blooming occurs early May through early June; fruiting occurs late June through late July. The optimal identification period for this species is late May through late June.

Synonyms: Ribes oxyacanthoides var. oxyacanthoides

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Stamens equal to slightly exceeding the petals, but shorter than the sepals.
• Flower characteristics: Small flowers in small clusters or racemes; petals white, obovate, 2 to 3 mm; sepals oblong, smooth, blunt, 2.5 to 4 mm;stamens equal to slightly exceeding the petals, but shorter than the sepals.
• Fruit characteristics: Smooth, greenish-purple, many-seeded berry.
• Leaf characteristics: 1.5 to 3 cm long by 2 to 3.5 cm wide, glandular and hairy at least beneath, broadly wedge- to square-shaped at the base.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: early May through early June
• Fruiting phenology: late June through late July
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is late May through late June

Other

• Growth form: Shrub
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Viburnum edule, Acer spicatum, Thuja occidentalis, Populus balsamifera, Ribes glandulosum, Sambucus canadensis, Ribes americanum.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Canadian Gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides ssp. oxyacanthoides). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in cool, open habitats such as talus forests, bluff edges, and moist flats between dunes.
• Soils: Moist soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Canadian Gooseberry. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Canadian Gooseberry. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid disturbance to rocky slopes and outcrops within forests where this species is found
• Avoid direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.
• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Maintaining the cool microclimate around this species is likely imperative to its persistence
• Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.

Other resources

Links to additional Canadian Gooseberry information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use