Ribes petiolare
Douglas
Western Black Currant
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Eric Rude, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Roger Frost, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Eric Rude, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
A deciduous shrub reaching 1.5 m (5 ft) in height. Hardy to UK zone 3. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or basic soil. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Description
A deciduous shrub reaching 1.5 m (5 ft) in height. Hardy to UK zone 3. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or basic soil. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Edible Uses
The fruit is large, abundantly produced, and highly esteemed. About 10mm in diameter, it can be eaten raw or cooked. Unlike most blackcurrants, it is not aromatic.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Known Hazards
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Europe, North America, USA,
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 species could be useful in breeding programmes for blackcurrants. 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
Notes
There are about 150 Ribes species.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Trans. Hort. Soc. London 7:514. 1830
- van Wyk, B., 2005, Food Plants of the World. An illustrated guide. Timber press. p 321
