6. Grossularia Rotundifòlia (Michx.) Cov. & Britt. Eastern Wild Gooseberry

Fig. 2210

Ribes rotundifolium Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 1: no.

1803. Grossularia rotundifolia Cov. & Britt. N. A. Fl.

22: 223. 1908.

Nodal spines commonly short, or often altogether wanting, and the prickles few or none. Leaves suborbicular, broadly cuneate to subcordate at the base, pubescent, at least beneath, when young; peduncles rather short, nodding; flowers 1-3, greenish-purple, 3"-4" long, pedicelled; calyx-lobes linear-oblong, at least twice as long as the tube; stamens exserted for about 1/4 their length; berry globose, glabrous, purplish, usually not more than 4" in diameter.

In rocky woods, western Massachusetts and southeastern New York to North Carolina, especially along the mountains. Smooth gooseberry. May-July.

7. Grossulariahirtélla (Michx.) Spach. Low Wild Gooseberry

Fig. 2211

Ribes hirtellum Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 1: 111. 1803.

R. huronense Rydb.; Britton, Man. 487. 1901.

R. oxyacanthoides calcicola Fernald, Rhodora 7: 155.

1905. R. saxosum Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. 1: 231. 1834.

A shrub, 40 high or less, the branches usually without spines, sometimes bristly, the older ones dark brown. Nodal spines rarely present and 6" long or less; leaves suborbicular or ovate-orbicular in outline, incisely 3-5-lobed and dentate, mostly cuneate at the base, 3/4'-2 1/2' wide, glabrous or sparingly pubescent; peduncles short, 1-3-flowered; bracts much shorter than the pedicels; ovary glabrous or rarely pubescent or with stalked glands; calyx-tube narrowly campanulate; sepals green or purplish; petals obovate; berry black or purple, 4"-5" in diameter.

Swamps and moist woods, Newfoundland to Manitoba, West Virginia and South Dakota. Confused in our first edition with Ribes oxyacanthoides L.