Ribes sanguineum

Last updated

Ribes sanguineum
Pink Flowering Currant closeup, Ribes sanguineum.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Grossulariaceae
Genus: Ribes
Species:
R. sanguineum
Binomial name
Ribes sanguineum
Pursh 1813
Distribution of Ribes Sanguineum.png
States and territories where it is native
Synonyms [2]
  • Calobotrya sanguinea(Pursh) Spach
  • Coreosma sanguinea(Pursh) Spach

Ribes sanguineum, the flowering currant, redflower currant, red-flowering currant, or red currant [3] is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Grossulariaceae, native to the western United States and Canada.

Contents

Description

It is a deciduous shrub growing to 3 metres (10 feet) tall and broad. [4] It is naturally multi-stemmed with an upright-arching to rounded habit, although it can be grown in tree form. [5]

The bark is dark brownish-grey with prominent paler brown lenticels.

The leaves are of alternate arrangement, simple, 2–7 centimetres (1–3 inches) long and broad, palmately lobed with five lobes. When young in spring, they have a strong resinous scent. [5]

The flowers are produced in early spring at the same time as the leaves emerge, on dangling racemes 3–7 cm (1–3 in) long of 5–30 flowers; each flower is 5–10 millimetres (1⁄4–3⁄8 in) in diameter, with five red or pink petals.

The fruit is a dark purple oval berry about 1 cm (3⁄8 in) long, edible but with an insipid taste. [6]

Taxonomy

Varieties

ImageSubspeciesDescriptionDistribution
Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum 2019-04-16 0523.jpg Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosumRacemes with 15–40 pendant flowers, sepals pink to white. Oregon and California south to Santa Barbara County, and Guadalupe Island, elevations of 0–2,300 m (0–7,546 ft) [7]
Ribes sanguineum 5402.JPG Ribes sanguineum var. sanguineum [8] Racemes with 5-15(-20) erect to stiffly spreading flowers, sepals red.California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, elevations of 1,300–2,400 m (4,300–7,900 ft). [9]

Etymology

The Latin specific epithet sanguineum means 'blood-red'. [10]

Distribution

It is native to the western United States, Canada and Mexico. In western British Columbia, [11] Washington, and Oregon, it is distributed widely in the moist regions west of the Cascades. [12] In California it is restricted to areas near the coast, and can be found as far south as Santa Barbara County. [13] In Mexico, it is only found on the Pacific island of Guadalupe, where it may be extirpated. [14] Although its conservation status is secure across the rest of its range, in Idaho it is critically imperiled and is found only rarely in Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, and Adams counties. [15] [16]

It is widely cultivated and naturalized throughout temperate Europe and Australasia. [17]

Ecology

Bumblebee on flowers Gewone aardhommel koningin op Ribes sanguineum (Bombus terrestris) 4.jpg
Bumblebee on flowers

The early spring nectar of red-flowering currant is used by hummingbirds as well as butterflies, which along with moths browse the leaves in their larval stage. Deer and elk occasionally browse the leaves, and the berries are consumed by birds and small mammals. Its branches provide nesting habitat for birds. [18]

The species is a host to white pine blister rust, which led to eradication efforts in the early to mid 20th century. [3] From the 1920s the genus Ribes was federally restricted within the United States until the ban was lifted in 1966 due to increased resistance among both Ribes and Western white pine populations. [19]

Red-flowering currant is shade tolerant but prefers sunny sites. It tolerates drought well, but prefers cool and moist conditions. [4] [19]

As an invasive species

Red-flowering currant has been an invasive species in New Zealand since it was naturalized in 1904, [20] where it forms dense stands in shrublands and along waterways which crowd out native vegetation. [21]

It is considered a 'significant environmental weed' in Tasmania, though only a minor problem as it is not widespread. [22]

Cultivation

R. sanguineum was introduced into cultivation in Britain in the fall of 1826 by Scottish botanist David Douglas, via seeds he had sent back during his explorations for the Royal Horticultural Society in the Pacific Northwest. It and its varieties and cultivars became immediately popular among English gardeners. [23] The noted botanist and RHS member John Lindley remarked:

...of such importance do we consider [red-flowering currant] to the embellishment of our gardens, that if the expense incurred by the Horticultural Society in Mr. Douglas' voyage had been attended with no other result than the introduction of this species, there would have been no ground for dissatisfaction.

-John Lindley,quoted in The Collector by Jack Nisbet [23]

It remains a popular garden shrub, valued for its brightly colored and scented flowers in early spring, and birds and habitat support. Numerous cultivars have been selected with flowers ranging from white to dark red. The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit: [24]

Uses

Both indigenous and non-indigenous people use the berries for food, eating them fresh or dried or making them into jams, pies, juice, or syrup. [18] The flowers can be used to infuse beverages, especially spirits.

Related Research Articles

<i>Geranium</i> Genus of flowering plants

Geranium is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as geraniums or cranesbills. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, with the greatest diversity in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region.

<i>Deutzia</i> Genus of flowering plants

Deutzia is a genus of about 60 species of flowering plants in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to eastern and central Asia, and Central America and also Europe. By far the highest species diversity is in China, where 50 species occur.

<i>Philadelphus</i> Genus of shrubs

Philadelphus (mock-orange) is a genus of about 60 species of shrubs from 3–20 ft tall, native to North America, Central America, Asia and (locally) in southeast Europe.

<i>Delphinium</i> Genus of flowering plants

Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus.

<i>Fritillaria meleagris</i> Species of flowering plants in the family Liliaceae

Fritillaria meleagris is a Eurasian species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. Its common names include snake's head fritillary, snake's head, chess flower, frog-cup, guinea-hen flower, guinea flower, leper lily, Lazarus bell, chequered lily, chequered daffodil, drooping tulip or, in the British Isles, simply fritillary. The plant is a bulbous perennial native to the flood river plains of Europe where it grows in abundance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redcurrant</span> Species of flowering plant in the gooseberry family Grossulariaceae

The redcurrant or red currant is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family. It is native to western Europe. The species is widely cultivated and has escaped into the wild in many regions.

<i>Dasiphora fruticosa</i> Species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae

Dasiphora fruticosa is a species of hardy deciduous flowering shrub in the family Rosaceae, native to the cool temperate and subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere, often growing at high altitudes in mountains. Dasiphora fruticosa is still widely referenced in the horticultural literature under its synonym Potentilla fruticosa. Common names include shrubby cinquefoil, golden hardhack, bush cinquefoil, shrubby five-finger, widdy, kuril tea and tundra rose.

<i>Echeveria</i> Genus of succulents

Echeveria is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, native to semi-desert areas of Central America, Mexico and northwestern South America.

<i>Celosia argentea</i> Species of edible flowering plant

Celosia argentea, commonly known as the plumed cockscomb or silver cock's comb, is a herbaceous plant of tropical origin in the Amaranthaceae family from India and Nepal. The plant is known for its very bright colors. In India and China it is known as a troublesome weed.

<i>Geranium sanguineum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae

Geranium sanguineum, common name bloody crane's-bill or bloody geranium, is a species of hardy flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the cranesbill family Geraniaceae. It is the county flower of Northumberland.

<i>Viburnum plicatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae

Viburnum plicatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae, native to mainland China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The Latin specific epithet plicatum means "pleated", referring to the texture of the leaves.

<i>Ribes aureum</i> Species of plant

Ribes aureum, known by the common names golden currant, clove currant, pruterberry and buffalo currant, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Ribes native to North America.

<i>Salvia microphylla</i> Species of shrub

Salvia microphylla, synonyms including Salvia grahamii, Salvia lemmonii and Salvia neurepia, the baby sage, Graham's sage, or blackcurrant sage, is an evergreen shrub found in the wild in southeastern Arizona and the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico. It is a very complex species which easily hybridizes, resulting in numerous hybrids and cultivars brought into horticulture since the 1990s. The specific epithet microphylla, from the Greek, means "small leaved". In Mexico it is called mirto de montes, or "myrtle of the mountains".

<i>Ribes speciosum</i> Species of flowering plant

Ribes speciosum is a species of flowering plant in the family Grossulariaceae, which includes the edible currants and gooseberries. It is a spiny deciduous shrub with spring-flowering, elongate red flowers that resemble fuchsias, though it is not closely related. Its common name is fuchsia-flowered gooseberry. It is native to central and southern California and Baja California, where it grows in the scrub and chaparral of the coastal mountain ranges.

<i>Sarcococca hookeriana</i> Species of flowering plant

Sarcococca hookeriana, the Himalayan sweet box, is a species of flowering plant in the box family Buxaceae, native to China, Afghanistan, North East India, Bhutan and Nepal. It is a low-growing evergreen shrub, usually growing to 12–24 in (30–61 cm) high. It produces aromatic white flowers throughout winter, followed by black berries.

<i>Ribes cereum</i> Species of currant

Ribes cereum is a species of currant known by the common names wax currant and squaw currant; the pedicellare variety is known as whisky currant. The species is native to western North America.

<i>Viburnum <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> bodnantense</i> Species of flowering plant

Viburnum × bodnantense, the Bodnant viburnum, is a Group of hybrid flowering plant cultivars of garden origin. They originate in a cross between V. farreri and V. grandiflorum made by Charles Puddle, head gardener to Lord Aberconway at Bodnant Garden, Wales around 1935.

<i>Sarcococca ruscifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Sarcococca ruscifolia (野扇花) is a species of flowering plant in the box family Buxaceae, native to China, where it inhabits forested mountain slopes. Growing to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall and broad, it is a compact evergreen shrub with shiny oval leaves. Fragrant white flowers in winter are followed by red berries.

<i>Saxifraga fortunei</i> Species of flowering plant

Saxifraga fortunei (齿瓣虎耳草), the fortune saxifrage, is a species of flowering plant in the family Saxifragaceae, native to China, Japan and Korea. Growing to just 40 cm (16 in) tall and broad, it is a shade-loving herbaceous perennial with large round fleshy leaves. Slender branched stalks bear panicles of small white starry flowers in summer. The two lower petals of each bloom are significantly longer than the others. Both the flowers and the leaves are sometimes flushed red or pink.

<i>Stachyurus chinensis</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Stachyuraceae

Stachyurus chinensis (中国旌节花), Chinese stachyurus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Stachyuraceae, native to China and Taiwan. It is a spreading deciduous shrub growing to 2.5 m (8 ft) tall by 4 m (13 ft) wide. Stiff, pendent racemes of bell-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers are borne on glossy, dark brown branches in winter and spring. It flowers two weeks later than the related S. praecox. The flowers are followed by simple ovate leaves which colour to pink and red before falling in autumn.

References

  1. ↑ "Ribes sanguineum". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  2. ↑ The Plant List, Ribes sanguineum Pursh
  3. 1 2 Fagan, Damian (2019). Wildflowers of Oregon: A Field Guide to Over 400 Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of the Coast, Cascades, and High Desert. Guilford, CT: FalconGuides. p. 201. ISBN   978-1-4930-3633-2. OCLC   1073035766.
  4. 1 2 "Red Flowering Currant | EMSWCD". 5 November 2013. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  5. 1 2 "Ribes sanguineum | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University". landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  6. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN   978-1405332965.
  7. ↑ "Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". eFloras.org Home. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  8. ↑ "Ribes sanguineum". CalFlora. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  9. ↑ "Ribes sanguineum var. sanguineum in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". eFloras.org Home. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  10. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN   978-1845337315.
  11. ↑ Plants of British Columbia: Ribes sanguineum
  12. ↑ Turner Photographics, Ribes sanguineum - Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest – includes photos, description, partial distribution map
  13. ↑ Calflora taxon report, University of California: Ribes sanguineum
  14. ↑ Rebman, Jon P.; Gibson, Judy; Rich, Karen (15 November 2016). "Annotated Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Baja California, Mexico" (PDF). Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History. 45. San Diego Natural History Museum: 178 – via San Diego Plant Atlas.
  15. ↑ "Red-flowered Currant (Ribes sanguineum) | Idaho Fish and Game". idfg.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  16. ↑ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  17. ↑ "Ribes sanguineum". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  18. 1 2 "Red-flowering Currant". www.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  19. 1 2 "Ribes: Reintroducing a once common fruit genus". uncommonfruit.cias.wisc.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  20. ↑ "Ribes sanguineum". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  21. ↑ "Weed Information Sheet". Weedbusters. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  22. ↑ "National list of naturalised invasive and potentially invasive garden plants" (PDF). World Wildlife Foundation Australia. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  23. 1 2 Nisbet, Jack (2009). The Collector, David Douglas and the Natural History of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle: Sasquatch Books. pp. 183–184. ISBN   9781570616136.
  24. ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 87. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  25. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Ribes sanguineum 'Koja'" . Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  26. ↑ "'Poky's Pink'". RHS. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  27. ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Ribes sanguineumWhite Icicle = 'Ubric'" . Retrieved 9 October 2018.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Ribes sanguineum at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.