Ribes aureum

Ribes aureum
Ribes aureum var. aureum, Spring Mountains, Nevada.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Grossulariaceae
Genus: Ribes
Species: R. aureum
Binomial name
Ribes aureum
Pursh 1813
Synonyms[1]
Ribes aureum foliage.
Ribes aureum shrub texture.
Ribes aureum flowers.

Ribes aureum, known by the common names golden currant[2] and buffalo currant, is a species in the genus Ribes.[3] It is native to Canada, most of the United States (except the southeast) and northern Mexico. The species[4] Ribes odoratum is closely related, and sometimes named Ribes aureum var. villosum.[5]

Description

Ribes aureum is a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub, 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) tall. Leaves are green, with 3 or 5 lobes, turning red in autumn.[6]

The plant blooms in spring with racemes of conspicuous golden yellow flowers, often with a pronounced, spicy fragrance similar to that of cloves or vanilla. Flowers may also be shades of cream to reddish, and are borne in clusters of up to 15.[7] The shrub produces berries about 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) in diameter from an early age. Ripe fruits, amber yellow to black, are edible raw, but very tart, and are usually cooked with sugar. The flowers are also edible.[7][6]

Varieties

Uses

Cultivation

Ribes aureum is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, in traditional, native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens, and natural landscaping projects.[10] Unlike some other species of currants, Ribes aureum is in the remarkably drought-tolerant group of Ribes. Named cultivars have been introduced also.

Culinary and medicinal

Golden currant is also planted for the edible berries. Although flowers are hermaphroditic, the yield is greatly benefited by cross-pollination.

The berries were used for food, and other plant parts for medicine, by various Native American groups across its range in North America.[7][11]

Rust host

This currant species is susceptible to white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), a fungus which attacks and kills pines, so it is sometimes eradicated from forested areas where the fungus is active to prevent its spread.[7][12]

References

  1. ↑ The Plant List, Ribes aureum Pursh
  2. ↑ "Ribes aureum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  3. ↑ Plants for a Future, Ribes aureum
  4. ↑ Plants for a Future, Ribes odoratum
  5. 1 2 Flora of North America Ribes aureum var. villosum
  6. 1 2 Flora of North America, Ribes aureum
  7. 1 2 3 4 USDA Species Profile
  8. ↑ Jepson Manual treatment for Ribes aureum var. aureum
  9. ↑ Jepson Manual treatment for Ribes aureum var. gracillimum
  10. ↑ Las Pilitas Nursery horticultural treatment: Ribes aureum . accessed 1.30.2013
  11. ↑ University of Michigan (Dearborn): Ethnobotany
  12. ↑ US Forest Service Fire Ecology
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