Ribes lacustre

The shrub Ribes lacustre is known by the common names prickly currant, black swamp gooseberry, and black gooseberry. It is widely distributed, from California to Alaska and across North America east to Pennsylvania and Newfoundland, and south as far as New Mexico.

The shrub grows erect to spreading, 0.5–2 m. Clusters of reddish to maroon flowers bloom in spring. The fruit consists of dark purple berries 6–8 mm long. It blooms in April through August and may be found in low-elevation forests to the subalpine.

Outside its native range, Ribes species may be invasive. For example, in Michigan, planting of any currant and gooseberry species is prohibited.