Ribes spicatum

E. Robson

Downy currant, Nordic currant, Northern red currant

Grossulariaceae Edible: Fruit 2,450 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Ribes spicatum, the downy currant or Nordic currant, is a species of shrub in the family Grossulariaceae, native to northern Europe and northern Asia. Its bright red berries are edible and quite good‑tasting. It can be differentiated from the more common redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) not so much by its leaf hairs, as these tend to fall off as the leaf ages, but by other characteristics: the leaves of R. spicatum are a duller and darker green than R. rubrum with its paler yellowish‑green leaves. R. spicatum holds its leaves at a right angle to the stem, whereas R. rubrum leaves are less erect, markedly distinguishing the overall form of the bushes. R. spicatum has green petioles, but R. rubrum petioles are more orange‑ish.

Description

A deciduous shrub growing to 2m tall with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Hardy to UK zone 3. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Suitable for mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline soils. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil conditions.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Austria, Belarus, Britain, Central Asia, China, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, North America, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Sweden, Ukraine, 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. Very closely related to R. rubrum, this species is involved in the parentage of the cultivated 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, and plant out in late spring the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10–15cm with a heel, can be taken in July or August and rooted in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood from the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, can be 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

Ribes acidum Pojark.Ribes hispidulum (Jancz.) Pojark.Ribes pubescens Hedl.Ribes rubrum auct. nonn.Ribes rubrum var. hispidulum Jancz.Ribes rubrum var. pubescens (Hedl.) Jancz

References (6)

Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Svanberg, I., 2012, The use of wild plants as food in pre-industrial Sweden. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81(4): 317-327
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/econ.pl (10 April 2000)
With., Arr. Brit. pl. ed. 3, 2:265. 1796
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 592

Show all 6 references