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Ribes rubrum
  • Red Currant

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

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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 rubrum has 0 edible uses listed
Ribes rubrum has 0 material uses listed
Ribes rubrum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The fresh leaves contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide, though details of quantities are not given[1]. This substance is found in several foods, including almonds. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[2][3][4][5]. A pleasant acid flavour, it can be eaten out of hand but is more often cooked in pies, jams etc[K]. There are rather a lot of seeds in each fruit[K].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[6].

A black dye is obtained from the fruit[6].

The fruit is used cosmetically in face-masks for firming up tired and lifeless skin[7].

Unknown part

Cosmetic
Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The fruit is antiscorbutic, aperient, depurative, digestive, diuretic, laxative, refrigerant and sialagogue[8][7][9]. The leaves contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide[1]. A concoction of them is used externally to relieve rheumatic symptoms[7]. They are also used in poultices to relieve sprains or reduce the pain of dislocations[7].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Antiscorbutic
Aperient
Poultice
Refrigerant
Sialagogue

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[10][11]. 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[12][10].

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[12][13].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ribes rubrum. 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[5][13]. Plants are quite tolerant of shade, even succeeding on a north-facing wall[13], though they do not fruit so well in such a position[5]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 6[13].

Hardy to about -20°c[13]. Red currants are often cultivated in temperate zones for their edible fruit, there are some named varieties, including forms with white fruits[8][14]. Most cultivars are self-fertile and set a good crop on their own[13]. The fruit is produced at the base of one-year old and older wood, plants start to fruit at 3 - 4 years from seed[13]. This is an aggregate species comprising R. spicatum and R. rubrum. There is some confusion in nomenclature with some botanists only recognising 2 species, R. silvestre. (syn R. sativum) and R. spicatum (syn R. rubrum)[15][13].

Plants can harbour a stage of white pine blister rust, so should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees[16]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[13].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ribes rubrum. 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 rubrum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ribes rubrum
Genus
Ribes
Family
Grossulariaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[8][7][9][1]
Material uses & Functions
[6][7]
Botanic
[5][15][13]
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
    1.2 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    11. ? Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.613.713.813.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    16. ? Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. (1968-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-9" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Ribes rubrum.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Ribes_rubrum&oldid=80203"
    Facts about "Ribes rubrum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyGrossulariaceae +
    Belongs to genusRibes +
    Has binomial nameRibes rubrum +
    Has common nameRed Currant +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bees + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageRibes rubrum.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useCosmetic + and Dye +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Antiscorbutic +, Aperient +, Poultice +, Refrigerant + and Sialagogue +
    Has primary imageRibes rubrum.jpg +
    Has search nameribes rubrum + and red currant +
    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 rubrum +
    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 migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Ribes rubrum +, Ribes rubrum +, Ribes rubrum +, Ribes rubrum +, Ribes rubrum +, Ribes rubrum +, Ribes rubrum +, Ribes rubrum + and Ribes rubrum +