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Raspberry like canes but gooseberry like leaves, what's this plant? #586681

Asked August 05, 2019, 8:07 PM EDT

I'm having a hard time identifying this plant that's growing by itself under weeping willow. At first glance I thought its raspberry cane, but it does bear sharper long thorns in pairs or triples along the branch. The leaves, however to my eyes, resemble a gooseberry. Is this prickly gooseberry? Is it worth growing or not? Thanks for your time and assistance . Senchu

Scott County Minnesota

Expert Response

That is our native Americana Gooseberry.  I have a shrub and pick berries each year and make jelly using the recipe for currant jelly.  A tip from someone told me to pick them when half are dark red and ripe and the others still green striped.  That makes the best juice.  If you allow the end of the branches to lay on the ground they will root and make a new shrub.  Because of the thorns, I cut the branches off and carefully pick the berries off.  It grows new branches each spring. The plant, however, does need full sun to be healthy. If you decide to keep it, I would transplant it to a sunnier location.
Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied August 05, 2019, 10:59 PM EDT

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