Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article ,
jane writes:
|
| No, there is a difference. Worcesters are a distinct species where
| Jostas are a cross. This should help:
| http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms...sterberry.html

I live and learn! The OED explains the source of the confusion:

A small black gooseberry of the North American species Ribes
divaricatum, once believed to be a hybrid of the blackcurrant
and the gooseberry and sold as such by a Worcester nurseryman.

1923 Amateur Gardening 27 Oct. p. ix/3 (Advertisement).
Worcesterberry. Cross between gooseberry and black currant.
Fruiting trees. 3/- each. Richard Smith & Co. ... Worcester.

The real Jostaberry fruits marvellously on a heavy clay soil and the
large black shiny gooseberries being so much bigger are a lot less
hassle to top and tail.

The only problem is keeping the birds off them! Needs a fruit cage.

Regards,
Martin Brown
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **