Common Name: Blackcurrant

General Information

Ribes nigrum is an erect, deciduous shrub producing a cluster of stems 100 - 200cm tall[].
The blackcurrant is widely cultivated for its fruits in cooler parts of the temperate zone, especially in Europe and northern Asia. Its cultivation, though, is prohibited in parts of N. America because it harbours a stage of a rust that also affects many species of Pine[]. The plant also has a range of medicinal and other uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to France, Bulgaria, N. and C. Asia.

Habitat

Hedges and woodlands, often by streams[, ]. Wet meadows, disturbed streamsides, anthropogenic habitats[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ribes nirgrum is very cold hardy, when dormant it can tolerate temperatures falling to around -20°c, though flowers and young growth are damaged at around -1°c[].
Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality[, ]. Best grown on a deep sandy loam[]. Dislikes very heavy clay, chalky soils and thin dry soils, but it can succeed on most soil types if plenty of organic matter is incorporated[]. Plants require plenty of nitrogen if they are to do well[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.7 to 7 and is intolerant of acid soils[]. Plants are quite tolerant of shade though do not fruit so well in such a position[]. Plants fruit less freely when grown in windy sites[].
Blackcurrants are widely cultivated in temperate areas for their edible fruit, there are many named varieties[, ].
This species hybridizes in the wild with several other related species, including Ribes procumbens Pallas and Ribes graveolens Bunge[].
Most fruit is produced on one year old wood. Pruning usually consists of removing about a third of all the stems from just above ground level in the autumn. The oldest stems with least new growth are removed since these will be the poorest fruiters. The plant is able to make new growth from the base of the removed stems and, if the plants are well fed, this growth is very vigorous and will fruit heavily the following year. The flowers can self-fertilize but many cultivars fruit better with insect pollination[].
White pine blister rust, caused by the pathogen Cronartium ribicola, is a fungal disease that is native to Asia but has spread via human activity to many other regions, where it has become more virulent. It has a complex life-cycle that requires both currants (Ribes species) and white pines (Pinus species of the section Strobus) for the disease to spread. Whilst Ribes species can generally live with the disease (it has an annual life-cycle and infects the leaves only) Pinus species can be devastated by it (it becomes perennial and spreads through the tree). Young pines are far more susceptible than mature trees. In America the growing of certain Ribes species is banned in some areas in order to protect plantations of white pine species.
Plants in this genus tend to be notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. An excellent aromatic flavour[]. The fully ripe fruit is very acceptable raw, though it is more often cooked and used to make pies, jams etc[, , , , ]. The fruit is widely processed in food production for making syrups, jams, kissels, jellies, pastila, confectionary fillings, multi-vitamin drinks, liqueurs and fruit wines[]. Very rich in vitamin C[]. The black, globose fruit is about 12 - 15mm in diameter[], though selected cultivars have larger fruits[].

The leaves are used in soups[].
The leaves and buds are utilized in the food and alcoholic beverage industries[].

The dried leaves are a tea substitute[, , ]. They are sometimes added to blended herb teas[].

Medicinal

Blackcurrant fruits are a good source of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. They have diuretic and diaphoretic actions, help to increase bodily resistance to infections and are a valuable remedy for treating colds and flu[, ].

The juice, especially when fresh or vacuum-sealed, helps to stem diarrhoea and calms indigestion[, ].

The leaves are cleansing, diaphoretic and diuretic[, ]. By encouraging the elimination of fluids they help to reduce blood volume and thereby lower blood pressure[]. An infusion is used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatic pain and whooping cough, and can also be used externally on slow-healing cuts and abscesses[].It can be used as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers[].
The leaves are harvested during the growing season and can be used fresh or dried[].

It is believed that an infusion of the leaves increases the secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands, and thus stimulates the activity of the sympathetic nervous system[]. This action may prove useful in the treatment of stress-related conditions[].

An infusion of the young roots is useful in the treatment of eruptive fevers[].

A decoction of the bark has been found of use in the treatment of calculus, dropsy and haemorrhoidal tumours[].

The seed is a source of gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid which assists the production of hormone-like substances[]. This process is commonly blocked in the body, causing disorders that affect the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism[].
We have no records of the oil from this species being used medicinally, though it is used in cosmetic preparations[, ].

Other Uses

The oil from the seed is added to skin preparations and cosmetics. It is often combined with vitamin E to prevent oxidation[].

An essential oil (Níribine oil) is obtained from the buds[].

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[].

A blue or violet dye is obtained from the fruit[].

The leaves are used for vegetable preservation[]. No more details.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at between 0 and 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[, ]. Under normal storage conditions the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[, ].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, late autumn to late winter in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors[, ].