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Ribes nigrum
  • Blackcurrant

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Ribes genus in the family Grossulariaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Ribes nigrum has 0 edible uses listed
Ribes nigrum has 0 material uses listed
Ribes nigrum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked. An excellent aromatic flavour[K]. The fully ripe fruit is very acceptable raw, though it is more often cooked and used to make pies, jams etc[1][2][3][4][5]. Very rich in vitamin C[6]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[7], though selected cultivars have larger fruits[K].

The leaves are used in soups[8].

The dried leaves are a tea substitute[9][10][8]. They are sometimes added to blended herb teas[11].

Fruit

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

The oil from the seed is added to skin preparations and cosmetics. It is often combined with vitamin E to prevent oxidation[11].

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[12]. A blue or violet dye is obtained from the fruit[12].

The leaves are used for vegetable preservation[9]. No more details.

Unknown part

Cosmetic
Dye
Preservative

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Blackcurrant fruits are a good source of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. They have diuretic and diaphoretic actions, help to increase bodily resistance to infections and are a valuable remedy for treating colds and flu[13][14]. The juice, especially when fresh or vacuum-sealed, helps to stem diarrhoea and calms indigestion[13][14].

The leaves are cleansing, diaphoretic and diuretic[13][4]. By encouraging the elimination of fluids they help to reduce blood volume and thereby lower blood pressure[14]. An infusion is used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatic pain and whooping cough, and can also be used externally on slow-healing cuts and abscesses[4].It can be used as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers[14]. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and can be used fresh or dried[11]. It is believed that an infusion of the leaves increases the secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands, and thus stimulates the activity of the sympathetic nervous system[14]. This action may prove useful in the treatment of stress-related conditions[14]. An infusion of the young roots is useful in the treatment of eruptive fevers[13]. A decoction of the bark has been found of use in the treatment of calculus, dropsy and haemorrhoidal tumours[13].

The seed is a source of gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid which assists the production of hormone-like substances[11]. This process is commonly blocked in the body, causing disorders that affect the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism[11]. We have no records of the oil from this species being used medicinally, though it is used in cosmetic preparations[238, K].

Unknown part

Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Miscellany

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at between 0 and 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[15][16]. Under normal storage conditions the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[17][15].

Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, November to February in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors[17][7].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ribes nigrum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality[18][7]. Best grown on a deep sandy loam[1]. Dislikes very heavy clay, chalky soils and thin dry soils, but it can succeed on most soil types if plenty of organic matter is incorporated[1]. Plants require plenty of nitrogen if they are to do well[7]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.7 to 7 and is intolerant of acid soils[7]. Plants are quite tolerant of shade though do not fruit so well in such a position[18]. Plants fruit less freely when grown in windy sites[7].

The plant is hardy to about -20°c, though flowers are damaged at -1°c[7]. Blackcurrants are widely cultivated in temperate areas for their edible fruit, there are many named varieties[8][7]. Most fruit is produced on one year old wood. Pruning usually consists of removing about a third of all the stems from just above ground level in the autumn. The oldest stems with least new growth are removed since these will be the poorest fruiters. The plant is able to make new growth from the base of the removed stems and, if the plants are well fed, this growth is very vigorous and will fruit heavily the following year. The flowers can self-fertilize but many cultivars fruit better with insect pollination[7].

Plants can harbour a stage of 'white pine blister rust', so they should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees[19]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ribes nigrum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ribes nigrum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ribes nigrum
Genus
Ribes
Family
Grossulariaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Medicinal uses
[13][14][4][11]
Material uses & Functions
[11][12][9]
Botanic
[18][20][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.8 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press (1975-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.007.017.027.037.047.057.067.077.087.097.107.11 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.611.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.6 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    16. ? Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    19. ? Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. (1968-00-00)
    20. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Ribes_nigrum&oldid=80189"
    Facts about "Ribes nigrum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyGrossulariaceae +
    Belongs to genusRibes +
    Has binomial nameRibes nigrum +
    Has common nameBlackcurrant +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +, Leaves + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bees + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageSchwarzejohannisbeere.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useCosmetic +, Dye + and Preservative +
    Has mature height1.8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge + and Miscellany +
    Has primary imageSchwarzejohannisbeere.jpg +
    Has search nameribes nigrum + and blackcurrant +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameRibes nigrum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum +, Ribes nigrum + and Ribes nigrum +