We recently moved in to an old farm with tons of unidentified plants. The former owner passed away before we moved in, so everything is a mystery. So far this is one I can't get any answers on locally. It is a woody shrub, only 2-3 feet tall with groups of leaves staggered on the stem. The stems are similar to roses, with long single shoots. On the older stems, from every cluster of leaves hangs one fruit from 1/2 to 3/4 inch. The fruit looks like they are turning red. Also with each fruit is a 1/4 very thin, sharp thorn. I've uploaded 3 pics - a full shot of the plant in the ground, a leaf zoom and a fruit zoom. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We're trying to decide if it gets the 'axe' or if it stays.... Rob South Jersey
It's a Gooseberry. Ribes uva-crispa. Good to use cooked in pies or jams. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gooseberry
The home we bought last June, had two of those, a seedless grape and a blueberry plant in shade beneath the Douglas fir. Probably in the ground for a year. I kept all, and put the gooseberry plants in a more sunny area. I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow over say 10 years. They are healthy now, and pushed a foot of growth to 4' tall this spring already. As a child, I used to snack on the neighbors, but have never had one. The plant is a pretty good looking shrub too.
