Intricately branched shrub to c. 2 m high, sometimes thicket-forming. Stems armed with stout spines (often paired or in 3s) to c. 1 cm long. Leaves orbicular to broadly ovate in outline, c. 2–5 cm diam., usually divided to c. midway into 3 or 5 lobes, the margins variably incised; lower or both surfaces with rather sparse, soft, ± erect hairs; petioles often with glandular bristles toward base. Flowers solitary or in small clusters in axils; sepals ± oblong, 5–7 mm long, pale green or tinged pink, persistent in fruit; petals white, smaller than sepals. Fruit globular, 10–15 mm diam., dappled green and yellow or reddish when ripe, usually hispid at least when young. Flowers Oct.–Nov.
HSF, VAlp. Also naturalised NSW. Native to southern Europe. Recorded as naturalised near Tom Groggin (on the upper Murray River) and aberfeldy, probably from bird-dispersed seed. Cultivated in cool areas for its tart fruit.
Source:
Walsh, N.G. (1996). Grossulariaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 539–541. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
