Grossulariaceae : Ribes americanum

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Family Name

Grossulariaceae

Common Name

Wild black current, beaver berries

Native American Name

Dakota: Chap-ta-haza; Lakota: čhapčhéyazala

Description

Ribes americanum is a perennial shrub, with erect to ascending, unarmed stems, growing 1-1.5 m tall. The younger stems are hairy, and dotted with yellow glands, becoming smooth and gray to black with age. The simple, alternate leaves are nearly round in shape, 3-8 cm long, with 3 deeply parted lobes and 2 shallow lobes at the outer edges. The leaf margins have sharp to rounded teeth, the upper leaf surface is smooth, and the lower surface is covered with hairs and small glands. The inflorescences are composed of hairy, axillary, drooping, racemes with 6-15 flowers. The calyx is tawny brown at the base, becoming greenish white above, 8-10 mm long, the hairy, bell-shaped hypanthium is 3-4.5 mm long, with 5 sepal spreading to reflexed lobes, 4-5 mm long. The 5 petals are white 2-3 mm long, inserted at the top of the hypanthium. The 5 stamens are inserted between the petals, have a broad base, are tapered toward the top. The fruit is a black, ovoid berry, 6-10 mm in diameter, with persistent floral remnants on the end. Black currant blooms in May and June on the edges of woods, in moist ravines and along streambanks in much of South Dakota.

Additional Notes

Like all of the other Ribes species, the fruit of the black currant is edible, but this one is not very palatable. The plants are brambly in appearance and the flowers are not particularly showy. The flowers attract native bees and the fruit attract birds and small mammals. This species is an alternate host to white pine blister rust.

Horticulture Notes

Seed collection: Pick the fruit when it is ripe and remove the seeds by maceration.

Germination: The seeds are dormant when harvested. Fall sowing or a 90-day cold treatment will encourage germination.

Vegetative propagation: Root suckers are easily divided and transplanted.

Light: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Well drained sandy or rocky soils preferred but this species is adaptable to a wide range of garden soils.

Water: Does best with moderately moist soils but tolerates drier conditions.