496 sturtevant's notes on edible plants 



R. grossularia Linn, gooseberry. 



Europe, North Africa and Himalayan region. The gooseberry is a native of northern 

 Europe and mountains farther south even to India. This fruit is not alluded to by writers 

 of the classical period. It is mentioned by Turner,* 1573; and Parkinson,* 1629, specifies 

 eight varieties, while now, in England, where it is a popular fruit, the varieties are enimier- 

 ated by the hundreds. In 1882, the Leveller variety with a berry weighing 818 grains was 

 exhibited in England.* On the continent of Europe, this species is little cultivated, and 

 with us, says Downing,* south of Philadelphia, it succeeds but indifferently. In the eastern 

 states, on strong soils, when the best sorts are chosen, it thrives admirably. On accoimt 

 however, of the mildew, the English varieties have now been almost entirely superceded, 

 by those of American origin. 



R. hudsonianum Richards, hudson bay currant. 



Northern North America. At Yukon, this species offers a fruit that is edible.* 



R. lacustre Poir. swamp gooseberry. 



Northern America. In Utah, the fruit seems to be eaten; in Alaska, the fruit is poor 

 but is used.* 



R. magellanicum Poir. 



Fuego. This is a tall shrub with black fruit, which is said by Hooker ' to have a very 

 agreeable flavor. 



R. menziesii Pursh. 



Western North America. The fruit is utilized by the inhabitants of southern California 

 in making jams.* 



R. nigrum Linn, black currant. 



Europe and northern Asia. The black currant is said by Pickering ' to be a native 

 of northeastern America, but most authors say of Europe and Siberia. It is common 

 wild, says Loudon,"* in woods in Russia and Siberia. The shrub is cultivated for its fruit, 

 which is valued for jelly-maldng. The fruit is sometimes used as dessert, and, in Scotland, 

 the berries are eaten in puddings and tarts. In Russia and Ireland, they are put into 

 spirits, as cherries are in England." The leaves, when dried, have been used as a tea 

 substitute. 



R. oxyacanthoides Linn, smooth wild gooseberry. 



Northern America. This is the gooseberry probably seen by Smith in New England 



' Darwin, C. Ans. Pis. Domest. 1:376. 1893. 

 ' Ibid. 



Card. Chron. 466. 1882. 



* Downing, A. J. Fr. Fr. Trees Amer. 294. 1857. 

 ' Dall, W. H. U. S. D. A. Rpt. 187. 1868. 

 Ibid. 



' Gray, A. U. S. Explor. Exped. 662. 1854. 

 Palmer U. S. Nat. Mus. i: 1890. 

 Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pis. 871. 1879. 

 ' T^udon, J. C. Hort. 567. i860. 

 " Ibid. 



