Ribes rubrum
redcurrant
Family GrossulariaceaeAlso called red currant, cultivated currant
About
The redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) is a deciduous shrub native to western Europe, widely cultivated for its bright red, translucent berries and naturalised in many regions.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Not recorded. We have no source on whether this plant is safe for cats, dogs or other pets — that is not the same as safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked.
- People
- Not recorded.
- Light
- Partial to full sun.
- Soil
- Grows in most soil types.
- Mature size
- 1–1.5 m (3.5–5 ft) tall, occasionally 2 m.
Field notes
Morphology
A deciduous shrub usually 1–1.5 m tall, occasionally 2 m, with five-lobed leaves arranged spirally. Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers hang in racemes 4–8 cm long, ripening into red translucent berries 8–12 mm across; wild plants carry 3–10 berries per raceme.
Distribution & habitat
Native to western Europe; escaped from cultivation in many regions.
Ecology
Self-pollinating, but sets more fruit when cross-pollinated by another variety.
Cultivation notes
An established bush can yield 3–4 kg of berries from mid- to late summer. Relatively low-maintenance and also used ornamentally.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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