Ribes niveum
Lindl.
Slender branched gooseberry, Snake River Gooseberry, Snow Currant
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) mhays, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by mhays
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) mhays, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by mhays
Summary
Source: WikipediaRibes niveum is a North American species of currant known by the common names snowy gooseberry, white-flowered gooseberry, or snow currant.
Description
Ribes niveum is a deciduous shrub reaching 2.7 m in height. It flowers in April with hermaphroditic insect-pollinated blooms. Hardy to UK zone 6 and USDA zones indicated. Tolerates light, medium, or heavy well-drained soils with mildly acid to basic pH. Requires full sun and prefers moist soil conditions.
Edible Uses
The fruit, about 8mm in diameter, can be eaten raw or cooked.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Known Hazards
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Europe, North America, Serbia, Siberia, USA,
Cultivation
Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Requires a sunny position. Hardy to about -20°c. A very ornamental plant. 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.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Snowy gooseberry, White-flower gooseberry
References (4)
- Edward's Bot. Reg. 20: t. 1692. 1835
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 592
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
