Some characteristics of the Grossulariaceae (current or gooseberry) family:
- Leaves: Typically alternate and palmately lobed or compound. They may have serrated margins.
- Flowers: Usually 5 sepals and 5 petals; hypanthium tube exceeding ovary
- Inflorescence: Raceme or cyme.
- Fruit: Berry, often with multiple seeds. In some species, the berries are edible and are used to make jams or consumed fresh.
- Habitat: Forests, meadows, and rocky slopes.
- Genus: Ribes (currants and gooseberries) is the only genus, as Grossularia is no longer an active genus name. There are 120 species.
- Culinary Importance: Edible berries.
- Distribution: Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Link to key to Ribes (Jepson)
