Redcurrant

Description:

Member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family Grossulariaceae, native to parts of western Europe (Belgium, France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, northern Italy, northern Spain, Portugal and Poland). It is a deciduous shrub normally growing to 1–1.5 m (3-5 feet) tall, occasionally 2 m (6.5 feet), with five-lobed leaves arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are inconspicuous yellow-green, in pendulous 4–8 cm (1.5-3 inch) racemes, maturing into bright red translucent edible berries about 8–12 mm (.3-.8 inch) diameter, with 3–10 berries on each raceme. An established bush can produce 3–4 kilos (6.5-9 lbs) of berries from mid to late summer.

Habitat:

Garden

Notes:

This berry has been cultivated in Sweden for over 300 years. It can also be found growing wild. The berrie and the leaves can be used for many things such as jam and wine.