Prickly Fruited Plant in Wooded Property - Ask Extension
I have many of these around our property and a bit in the woods. What plant is this? We will be clearing this area, but don’t want to clear it if it...
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Prickly Fruited Plant in Wooded Property #875301
Asked June 29, 2024, 9:21 PM EDT
I have many of these around our property and a bit in the woods. What plant is this? We will be clearing this area, but don’t want to clear it if it is a rare native plant. Thanks!
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
Good Morning,
Eastern prickly gooseberry has both prickly and smooth branches on the same plant. The purple berries of this plant are always prickly, however. Despite the prickles on the berries, they are attractive to many birds, including Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. The flowers also draw in an array of pollinators, including syrphid flies and bees. Larvae of the green comma butterfly (Polygonia faunus) feed on the foliage.
Ribes cynosbati (Prickly Gooseberry): Minnesota Wildflowers
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
Eastern prickly gooseberry has both prickly and smooth branches on the same plant. The purple berries of this plant are always prickly, however. Despite the prickles on the berries, they are attractive to many birds, including Catbird, Robin, Brown Thrasher, and Cedar Waxwing. The flowers also draw in an array of pollinators, including syrphid flies and bees. Larvae of the green comma butterfly (Polygonia faunus) feed on the foliage.
Ribes cynosbati (Prickly Gooseberry): Minnesota Wildflowers
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
Thank you so much. Looks like we will be keeping these for our birds and bees and clearing around them. :)
Your welcome! The birds and bees will thank you :)
