Scientific Name:
Ribes nigrum
Pronunciation:
RYE-beez NYE-grum
Common Name:
black currant
Family Name:
Grossulariaceae
Plant Type:
Shrub - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Leaves alternate, ovate-reniform, 5-15cm long and wide, 3-5 deep lobes, margin irregularly serrate, base cordate, aromatic when crushed, petioles 1-4cm long, stipules small and leafy if still present; berries round, 12-15mm wide, glossy black with persistent calyx. Winter ID: rounded shrub 1-2m tall, no prickles or spines at nodes, buds alternate, leaf scars crescent shaped with 3 bundle scars.
Habit:
Dense, Open, Spreading, Twiggy
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
1.5 - 2.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract birds, Hedge row, Small garden/space, Spring interest, Urban agriculture, Wildlife food
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Heavily veined, Palmate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent, Distinctive smell
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Ovate, Reniform
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Urceolate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Green-yellow, Pink, Red (petals may be reddish-green to brownish depending on cv.)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Additional Info:
4-6mm wide
Fruit Type:
Berry (true), Edible
Fruit Colour:
Black
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Showy, Edible, Technically a false berry (inferior ovary); may take 4-5 years after planting for heavy fruit production
Bark Morphology:
Smooth, Prominent lenticels
Bark or Stem Colour:
Brown
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid (Distinctive smell)
Leaf Scar Shape:
Crescent shaped
Propagation:
Cuttings
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
remove stems over 2 years old
Pest Susceptibility:
Rust (Pest resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
Specific Pests:
White pine blister rust
Course(s):
- HORT 2355
Location(s):
- (CGW) Community Garden West
- (FEA) Field lab Equipment Area