Ribes uva-crispa
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff8db6e233916899655 |
| Scientific name | Ribes uva-crispa |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 201 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
The leaves and young shoots of the European gooseberry have long been gathered for a bitter tea that serves both as a digestive aid and a gentle diuretic. In British and Irish folk practice, as recorded by Maud Grieve in *A Modern Herbal* (1931), the dried leaf is steeped to relieve flatulence and to promote urine flow. In the German‑speaking Alpine region, Winkler’s *Handbook of European Medicinal Plants* (1976) reports that a decoction of fresh leaves is used to ease urinary discomfort and to stimulate the kidneys. In the remote highlands of Iceland, Jónsson’s *Icelandic Ethnobotany* (1979) notes the same tea is taken for sore throats and as a seasonal tonic for general fatigue. In some Scottish highland villages, the fresh leaves are also crushed and applied as a poultice to minor skin irritations, a practice mentioned by Grieve (1931).
A practical preparation follows the historic recommendations. For a mild leaf tea, place 2 g of dried leaf (about one small handful of fresh leaves) in a cup, pour 200 mL of just‑boiled water over it, cover and steep for 10–12 minutes, then strain. The infusion can be taken in a cup up to twice daily. Safety notes: people known to be allergic to Ribes species or with severe kidney disease should limit or avoid the tea, and pregnant women are advised to consume only modest amounts because comprehensive safety data are lacking.
The leaf’s pharmacology is reflected in its known phytochemistry. It contains appreciable ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which explains the traditional antiscorbutic reputation, together with flavonols such as quercetin and kaempferol, and phenolic acids including caffeic acid. These constituents possess antioxidant activity and have been associated with mild diuretic effects, offering a plausible chemical basis for the traditional actions of the infusion.
Modern research is exploring the leaf extract’s free‑radical scavenging capacity for nutraceutical and cosmetic applications, while fresh gooseberries continue to be sold in markets across Europe. Nonetheless, a small number of traditional herb shops in Alpine and British highland regions still market the leaf tea as a seasonal tonic, maintaining a living link to its historic uses.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Common products are fresh gooseberries and their processed forms, including culinary fruit, frozen berries, jams, jellies, pie fillings, syrups and cordials, and alcoholic beverages such as wine and liqueurs made from the fruit or its juice. Some cultivars are primarily grown for culinary use; ‘Careless’, ‘Invicta’, and ‘Hinnonmäki Röd’ are widely cultivated for fresh or processed consumption.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Berries are used in desserts, preserves, and cooked preparations such as pies, crumbles, and sauces. They are processed into jams and jellies with added sugar, and into syrups and cordials for non-alcoholic beverages. Gooseberries are also fermented into wine and incorporated into liqueurs or other alcoholic drinks. Product processing typically involves heat treatment and pH adjustment to preserve acidity and texture; the firm skins and natural acidity of the berries contribute to structural integrity and flavor balance in preserves and baked goods.
Properties relevant to use:
Properties relevant to use include the berries’ high acidity (primarily malic acid) and firm-textured skins, which maintain structure during cooking and preserve formulation. Total soluble solids in culinary cultivars range from approximately 10–15%, supporting typical sugar additions in preserves. The combination of acidity and cell-wall integrity supports heat stability and a characteristic tart flavor profile in processed products. Juice yield is variable by cultivar and maturity; late-season fruit typically has higher soluble solids and reduced acidity.
Standards and regulation:
In the European Union, food uses are regulated under general food law (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002). Fruit intended for direct consumption or processing must comply with food safety and hygiene requirements, including contaminants and labeling standards (Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006; Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011). For alcoholic beverages, national regulations and labeling rules apply.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Gooseberries are cultivated in temperate regions across Europe, with recognized cultivar-based production systems, and are available seasonally from mid to late summer. Cultivar selection (for yield, fruit size, and acidity) and orchard management practices influence supply stability and fruit quality for processing.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Oxyacanthus uva-crispa | (L.) Chevall. | Fl. Gén. Env. Paris , ed. 2, 2: 662 (1836) |
| Oxyacanthus sativus | Chevall. | Fl. Gén. Env. Paris , ed. 2, 2: 662 (1836) |
| Ribes viridiminus | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 164 (1874) |
| Ribes vulgatissima | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 172 (1874) |
| Ribes viridimajus | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 165 (1874) |
| Ribes virente-rotundum | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 173 (1874) |
| Ribes viridialbescens | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 175-177 (1874) |
| Ribes aculeatum | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 355 (1796) |
| Ribes caucasicum | Adams ex Roem. & Schult. | Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 5: 507 (1819) |
| Ribes crispum | Dulac | Fl. Hautes-Pyrénées 264. 1867 |
| Ribes purpureomajus | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 182 (1874) |
| Ribes moschatum | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 184 (1874) |
| Ribes purpureominus | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 181 (1874) |
| Ribes succineum | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 175-177 (1874) |
| Ribes spinosum | Lam. | Fl. Franç. 3: 470 (1779) |
| Ribes reclinatum | L. | Sp. Pl. : 201 (1753) |
| Ribes grossularia | L. | Sp. Pl. : 201 (1753) |
| Ribes hybridum | Besser | Prim. Fl. Galiciae Austriac. 1: 186 (1809) |
| Ribes ianthinum | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 186 (1874) |
| Ribes hunyadense | Simonk. | Bot. Közlem. 8: 24 (1900) |
| Ribes flavescens | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 169 (1874) |
| Ribes dubium | Jacques | Rev. Hort. (Paris) , sér. 4, 3: 279 (1854) |
| Ribes longispinum | K.Koch | Hort. Dendrol. : 274 (1853) |
| Ribes lobatum | Poit. & Turpin | Pomol. Franç. 3: t. 187 (1874) |
| Grossularia glandulososetosa | Opiz | Seznam : 48 (1852) |
| Grossularia hirsuta | Mill. | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 2 (1768) |
| Grossularia intermedia | Opiz | Seznam : 48 (1852) |
| Grossularia pubescens | Opiz | Seznam : 48 (1852) |
| Grossularia reclinata | Mill. | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 1 (1768) |
| Grossularia spinosa | Garsault | Fig. Pl. Med. 3: t. 294 a. 1764, nom. inval., opus utique oppressum; Descr. Pl. Anim. 185. 1767; Thell. in Bull. Herb. Boiss. Ser. II. viii. 791. |
| Grossularia uva | Scop. | Fl. Carniol., ed. 2. 1: 168. 1771 |
| Grossularia uva-crispa | (L.) Mill. | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 3 (1768) |
| Grossularia uva-crispa subsp. lasiocarpa | (Gaudin ex Monn.) Dostál | Folia Mus. Rerum Nat. Bohemiae Occid., Bot. 21: 6 (1984) |
| Grossularia uva-crispa subsp. reclinata | (L.) Dostál | Folia Mus. Rerum Nat. Bohemiae Occid., Bot. 21: 7 (1984) |
| Grossularia vulgaris | Spach | Hist. Nat. Vég. (Spach) 6: 174. 1838 [Jan 1838 publ. 10 Mar 1838] |
| Ribes uva-crispa var. sativum | DC. | Fl. Franç. ed. 3, 5: 408 1805 |
| Ribes uva-crispa subsp. austroeuropaeum | Bornm. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 25: 278 1928 |
| Ribes uva-crispa subsp. reclinatum | Rchb. | |
| Ribes uva-crispa var. reclinatum | Berland. | Prodr. 3: 478 1828 |
| Ribes grossularia var. vulgare | Jancz. | Mém. Soc. Phys. Genève 35(3): 385, f. 109b 1907 |
| Ribes uva-crispa var. sylvestris | DC. | Fl. Franç. , éd. 3, 4: 408 (1805) |
| Ribes grossularia var. uva-crispa | (L.) Wimm. & Grab. | Fl. Siles. 1: 212 (1827) |
| Ribes spinosum var. glabrum | Gray | Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 550 (1821 publ. 1822) |
| Ribes grossularia var. sylvestre | (DC.) Willk. | Prodr. Fl. Hispan. 3: 127 (1874) |
| Ribes uva-crispa var. sylvestre | DC. |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | gooseberry |
| English | european gooseberry |
| Spanish | grosella blanca |
| Spanish | grosellero blanco |
| Spanish | grosella espinosa |
| Spanish | grosellero espinoso |
| Spanish | uva crespa |
| Spanish | uva de espina |
| Spanish | uva espina |
| Arabic | الثَّلَثانُ |
| Arabic | الثَّلِثانُ |
| Arabic | الثُّلْثُلَانُ |
| Arabic | الكشمش الشائك |
| Arabic | عنب الثعلب |
| Arabic | كشمش |
| Arabic | ريباس |
| Arabic | غروزية سياجي |
| Azerbaijani | adi qarağat |
| azb | ایری روس آلچاسی |
| bar | agrasel |
| bar | mauchale |
| bar | mungatzen |
| bar | mungatzn |
| bar | ogrosel |
| bar | ogrosln |
| bar | stachelbeere |
| bar | stachelbeeren |
| bar | ogrosl |
| Belarusian | Агрэст |
| Belarusian | Аграст |
| Belarusian | Агрэст адхілены |
| Bulgarian | цариградско грозде |
| Catalan | grosella espinosa |
| Catalan | agrassó |
| Czech | srstka angrešt |
| Czech | angrešt |
| Czech | meruzalka srstka |
| Czech | srstka obecná |
| cv | Крыжовник |
| cv | Йĕплĕ хурлăхан |
| Welsh | eirinen fair |
| Danish | stikkelsbær |
| Danish | stikkelsbær-busk |
| Danish | stikkelsbærbusk |
| German | stachelbeere |
| German | agrasel |
| German | grusselbeere |
| German | stachelbeeren |
| Greek | Φραγκοστάφυλο |
| Esperanto | groso |
| Estonian | karusmari |
| Estonian | tikerber |
| Estonian | tikker |
| Estonian | aed-karusmari |
| Basque | arakatz |
| Persian | انگور گوزبری |
| Finnish | hillokarviainen |
| Finnish | karviainen |
| French | groseillier épineux |
| French | groseiller à maquereau |
| French | groseillier à maquereau |
| frr | stikelbei |
| Irish | spíonán |
| Galician | groselleira branca |
| Manx | drine berrish |
| Manx | berrish ghlass |
| Hebrew | עכובית |
| Hebrew | חזרזר |
| Croatian | ogrozd |
| Upper Sorbian | kałata jahoda |
| Upper Sorbian | kosmačka |
| Upper Sorbian | kosmata jahoda |
| Upper Sorbian | kosmačkowc |
| Hungarian | köszméte |
| Hungarian | egres |
| Armenian | կոկռոշենի |
| Igbo | agbụrụ akụmakụ |
| Igbo | ngụgụ |
| io | grozelo |
| Icelandic | stikilsber |
| Italian | uva spina |
| Japanese | グースベリー |
| Japanese | グーズベリー |
| Japanese | グズベリー |
| Japanese | マルスグリ |
| Japanese | 丸すぐり |
| Japanese | 丸スグリ |
| Japanese | 西洋すぐり |
| Japanese | 西洋スグリ |
| Japanese | セイヨウスグリ |
| Georgian | ჩვეულებრივი ხურტკმელი |
| Kabyle | imilten |
| Kazakh | Қарлыған |
| Kannada | ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ನಲ್ಲಿಕಾಯಿ |
| Korean | 구즈베리 |
| ksh | kruschel |
| lb | gréng kréischel |
| lb | déck kréischel |
| li | kroasjel |
| li | kroeësjel |
| li | kroonsel |
| li | kroezjel |
| Lithuanian | agrastai |
| Lithuanian | agrastas |
| Latvian | Ērkšķoga |
| Latvian | krizdoles |
| Latvian | stiķenes |
| Latvian | ziemeļu vīnogas |
| Latvian | ērkšķogas |
| Macedonian | огрозд |
| Malay | gooseberry |
| Malay | r. grossularia |
| Malay | gusberi |
| mt | għenba tax-xewk |
| mzn | گالش انگور |
| Norwegian Bokmål | stikkelsbær |
| nds | stickelbeer |
| Dutch | kruisbes |
| Dutch | kruisbessen |
| Dutch | stekelbes |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | stikkelsbær |
| nv | kʼíníjíłʼahí |
| os | Уæркъин |
| os | Хъалгъæн |
| pcd | croquepoutier |
| pfl | gruschel |
| pfl | grusselbeer |
| pfl | stachelbeere |
| pfl | truuschel |
| pfl | truuscheleplanz |
| pfl | truuschele |
| Polish | agrest |
| Polish | porzeczka agrest |
| Portuguese | groselheira |
| Romanian | agriş |
| Romanian | agriș |
| rsk | Космачки |
| Russian | Крыжовник |
| Russian | Берсень |
| Russian | Крыжовник отклоненный |
| Russian | Смородина кудрявая |
| Russian | Крыжовник обыкновенный |
| Russian | Крыжовник европейский |
| Russian | Смородина отклонённая |
| sa | आमलकम् |
| sd | گوز بيري |
| se | roamšejierit |
| se | muovjejieret |
| Samogitian | agrasos |
| Serbo-Croatian | ogrozd |
| Slovak | egreš obyčajný |
| Slovak | ríbezľa egrešová |
| Slovenian | r. grossularia |
| Slovenian | kosmulja |
| Serbian | огрозд |
| stq | stikbäie |
| stq | kjuusbäie |
| Swedish | stickelbär |
| Swedish | krusbär |
| syl | ꠄꠃꠟꠣ |
| tcy | ಬೆಟ್ಟದನೆಲ್ಲಿ |
| Telugu | కేశ ఉసిరి |
| tg | Бектошӣ (бутта) |
| Turkish | gooseberry |
| Turkish | bektaşi üzümü |
| tt | Катырган |
| tt | крыжовник |
| tyv | Кызырак-караа |
| Ukrainian | Аґрест |
| Ukrainian | Агрус |
| Ukrainian | Аґрус |
| Uzbek | qoragʻat |
| vep | karvmarjad |
| Chinese | 欧洲醋栗 |
| Chinese | 鹅莓 |
| Chinese | 醋栗 |
| Chinese | 鵝莓 |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ribes uva-crispa subsp. austroeuropaeum | (Bornm.) Bech. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 27: 228 (1929) |
| Ribes uva-crispa subsp. uva-crispa | Unknown |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Morocco
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Northern Africa
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Antarctica click to expand
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Subantarctic Islands
- Falkland Islands
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Subantarctic Islands
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
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Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
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China
- China North-central
- Inner Mongolia
- Manchuria
- Xinjiang
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
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Middle Asia
- Tadzhikistan
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Russian Far East
- Kuril Islands
-
Western Asia
- Iran
- Turkey
-
Caucasus
-
Europe click to expand
-
Eastern Europe
- Baltic States
- Belarus
- Central European Russia
- East European Russia
- North European Russia
- South European Russia
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
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Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Finland
- Great Britain
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Sweden
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Kriti
- Romania
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
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Southwestern Europe
- France
- Spain
-
Eastern Europe
-
Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- Labrador
- Newfoundland
- Ontario
- Québec
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North-central U.S.A.
- Iowa
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Maryland
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Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000405193 |
| UNII | 727O3JAK4O |
| Canadensys | 6088 |
| USDA Plants | RIUV80 |
| Tropicos | 29101240 |
| INPN | 117787 |
| Flora of Italy | 9187 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:793052-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2426619 |
| PFAF | Ribes uva-crispa |
| Open Tree Of Life | 163280 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 135518 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000003518 |
| Nature Serve | 2.159813 |
| IPNI | 793052-1 |
| iNaturalist | 54429 |
| GBIF | 2986185 |
| Freebase | /m/01748x |
| EPPO | RIBUC |
| EOL | 489744 |
| Elurikkus | 6865 |
| US Library of Congress | sh85055921 |
| USDA GRIN | 31874 |
| Wikipedia | Ribes_uva-crispa |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_965211865.2 | drRibUvac1.hap1.2 | Chromosome | WELLCOME SANGER INSTITUTE | 2026-04-25 | 54 | 775.01 Mb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Olefins / Acyclic olefins / Alkadienes | |||||
| 1,6-Pentadecadiene | 12543730 | Click to see CCCCCCCCC=CCCCC=C | 208.38 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0486850 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| 3-p-Coumaroylquinic acid | 9945785 | Click to see | 338.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80722-0 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| 3-[3-Hydroxy-4-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]prop-2-enoic acid | 271602 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80722-0 |
| 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid glucoside | 3320872 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 300.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80722-0 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acid esters / Hydroxycinnamic acid glycosides | |||||
| 1-o-p-Coumaroyl-beta-d-glucose | 14158116 | Click to see | 326.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80722-0 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Anthocyanins / Anthocyanidin-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Cyanidin 3-O-galactoside | 441699 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=[O+]C3=CC(=CC(=C3C=C2OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 449.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0486850 |
| Delphinidin 3-O-rutinoside | 5492231 | Click to see | 611.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0486850 |
| Delphinidin 3-O-sambubioside | 74977035 | Click to see | 597.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0486850 |
| Pelargonidin 3-arabinoside | 157009723 | Click to see | 403.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0486850 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |