Ribes multiflorum

Kit. ex Schult.

Manyflower Currant

Grossulariaceae Edible: Fruit 35 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Ribes multiflorum is a deciduous shrub growing to 2 m tall. It flowers April to May, reaching hermaphroditic maturity with insect pollination. Hardy to UK zone 6 and USDA zones indicated. Tolerates light, medium, or heavy well-drained soils with mildly acid to basic pH. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist conditions.

Description

A shrub. It grows 2 m tall. It does not have thorns. The leaves are almost round and 5-10 cm across. The fruit are dark red and a flattened round shape. They are 7-9 mm across.

Edible Uses

The fruit, about 7mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked and is well suited to making preserves.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is used as a snack and in jam.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Albania, Asia, Balkans, China, Europe, Greece, Mediterranean*, Mexico,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Plants are quite tolerant of shade though do not fruit so well in such a position. Hardy to about -20°c. This plant is a parent of some of the late-fruiting cultivars of red currants. Plants can harbour a stage of 'white pine blister rust', so they should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months of cold stratification at 0–5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Under normal storage conditions seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, grow on in a cold frame through their first winter, then plant out in late spring the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10–15cm with a heel, taken July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, taken November to February in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors.

Other Uses

None known

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Notes

There are about 150 Ribes species.

Also Known As

Uvilla

References (9)

Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 8
Keep, E., 1979, Currants, in Simmonds N.W.,(ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 145
Pieroni, A. et al, 2014, Resilience at the border: traditional botanical knowledge among Macedonians and Albanian living in Gollobordo, Eastern Albania. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 10:31
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Segura, S., et al, 2018, The edible fruit species in Mexico. Genet Resour Crop Evol (2018) 65:1767–1793

Show all 9 references

Sfikas, G., 1984, Trees and shrubs of Greece. Efstathiadis Group. Athens. p 58
Syst. veg. 5:493. 1819
van Wyk, B., 2005, Food Plants of the World. An illustrated guide. Timber press. p 322
Zeven, A. C. & de West, J. M. J., 1982, Dictionary of cultivated plants and their regions of diversity. Wageningen. p 112