Black Gooseberry
SENĆOŦEN: ḴÁMQ IȽĆ
Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣: ʎabu.xwayapt
Latin: Ribes lacustre
Photo Credits: alchetron.com
Description: This shrub reaches 0.5 to 2 metres in height with smooth, grey bark. The stems are covered with small spines that can sometimes cause skin irritation or itching. Its deep glossy green leaves have five deep lobes with toothed edges that alternate along the stem. The small, flattish, deep red flowers hang in drooping clusters, followed by dark purple, pea-sized berries.
Photo Credits: Native Plants PNW
Harvest and Sustainability: They are found in moist woods, along streambanks, and on forested slopes. They thrive especially well in rich areas with rotting wood.
Harvesting season is in the summer.
Photo Credits: Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery
Uses: Not typically harvested in large quantities by the W̱SÁNEĆ, but typically eaten fresh straight off the bush. Occasionally, unripe berries were harvested for gooseberry feasts by beating the branches over a mat.
