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| | {{SPlantbox | | {{SPlantbox |
| | + | |familia=Grossulariaceae |
| | + | |genus=Ribes |
| | + | |species=nigrum |
| | + | |common_name=Blackcurrant |
| | + | |habit=shrub |
| | |Min ht metric=cm | | |Min ht metric=cm |
| | + | |features=edible, fruit |
| | |Temp Metric=°F | | |Temp Metric=°F |
| | |jumpin=This is the plant information box - for information on light; water; zones; height; etc. If it is mostly empty you can help grow this page by clicking on the edit tab and filling in the blanks! | | |jumpin=This is the plant information box - for information on light; water; zones; height; etc. If it is mostly empty you can help grow this page by clicking on the edit tab and filling in the blanks! |
| − | |image=Upload.png | + | |image=Schwarzejohannisbeere.jpg |
| | |image_width=240 | | |image_width=240 |
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| − | {{Inc|
| + | '''''Ribes nigrum''''', or '''Blackcurrant''' is a species of [[Ribes]] [[berry]] native to central and northern [[Europe]] and northern [[Asia]]. |
| − | Ribes nigrum, Linn. European Black Currant. Upright shrub, to 6 ft., with rather stout branches, of strong disagreeable odor: lvs. suborbicular, cordate, 3-5-lobed, with broad, acutish irregularly serrate lobes, sparingly pubescent, resinous-dotted beneath, to 4 in. broad: racemes 5-10-fld.; bracts small, much shorter than the pedicels; ovary and calyx pubescent and glandular; calyx-tube broadly campanulate; sepals oblong, recurved; petals reddish or whitish, about half as long as sepals: fr. black, subglobose, 1/3-2/5in. thick. Eu.; N. and Cent. Asia, Himalayas. S.E.B. 4:523. R.F.G. 23:137.—Sometimes cult. for its fr. and escaped in the eastern and middle states. Var. heterophyllum, Pepin (var. aconitifolium, Kirchn., var. crispum, Hort., var. laciniatum, Lav.). With divided lvs., sometimes nearly to the base, the lobes irregularly and deeply incised. Var. apiifolium, Kirchn. (var. dissectum, Nichols.). Lvs. 3-parted, usually to the base, the lobes pinnatifid with narrow segms. Var. xanthocarpum, Spaeth (var. fruictu-luteo, Hort.). Fr. yellow. Var. chlorocarpum, Spaeth (var. fructu-viridi, Hort.). Fr. greenish. Gt. 16:562, fig. 16. There are also forms with variegated lvs. as var. variegatum, Nichols., var. marmoratum, Mouillef., and var. reticulatum, Nichols. | |
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| − | {{Taxobox
| + | It is a small [[shrub]] growing to 1–2 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, simple, 3–5 cm long and broad, and palmately lobed with five lobes, with a serrated margin. The [[flower]]s are 4–6 mm diameter, with five reddish-green to brownish petals; they are produced in [[raceme]]s 5–10 cm long. |
| − | | color = lightgreen
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| − | | name = Blackcurrant
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| − | | image = Schwarzejohannisbeere.jpg
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| − | | image_width = 250px
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| − | | regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| − | | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| − | | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| − | | ordo = [[Saxifragales]]
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| − | | familia = [[Grossulariaceae]]
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| − | | genus = ''[[Ribes]]''
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| − | | species = '''''R. nigrum'''''
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| − | | binomial = ''Ribes nigrum''
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| − | | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
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| − | }}
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| − | The '''Blackcurrant''' (''Ribes nigrum'') is a species of [[Ribes]] [[berry]] native to central and northern [[Europe]] and northern [[Asia]]. In French it is called a "cassis".
| + | When not in fruit, the plant looks similar to the [[redcurrant]] shrub, distinguished by a strong fragrance from leaves and stems. The [[fruit]] is an edible [[berry]] 1 cm diameter, very dark purple in color, almost black, with a glossy skin and a persistent calyx at the apex, and containing several [[seed]]s dense in nutrients. An established bush can produce up to 5 kilos of berries during summer. |
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| − | [[Image:Schwarze Johannisbeeren Makro.jpg|thumb|left|Blackcurrant]] | + | Plants from [[Asia]] are sometimes distinguished as a separate variety ''Ribes nigrum'' var. ''sibiricum'', or even as a distinct species ''Ribes cyathiforme''. |
| − | It is a small [[shrub]] growing to 1-2 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, simple, 4-9 cm long and broad, and palmately lobed with five lobes, with a serrated margin. The [[flower]]s are 4-6 mm diameter, with five reddish-green to brownish petals; they are produced in [[raceme]]s 5-10 cm long. The [[fruit]] is an edible [[berry]] 1 cm diameter, very dark purple in colour, almost black, with a glossy skin and a persistent calyx at the apex, and containing several [[seed]]s.
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| − | Plants from Asia are sometimes distinguished as a separate variety ''Ribes nigrum'' var. ''sibiricum'', or even as a distinct species ''Ribes cyathiforme''.
| + | {{Inc| |
| | + | Ribes nigrum, Linn. European Black Currant. Upright shrub, to 6 ft., with rather stout branches, of strong disagreeable odor: lvs. suborbicular, cordate, 3-5-lobed, with broad, acutish irregularly serrate lobes, sparingly pubescent, resinous-dotted beneath, to 4 in. broad: racemes 5-10-fld.; bracts small, much shorter than the pedicels; ovary and calyx pubescent and glandular; calyx-tube broadly campanulate; sepals oblong, recurved; petals reddish or whitish, about half as long as sepals: fr. black, subglobose, 1/3-2/5in. thick. Eu.; N. and Cent. Asia, Himalayas.—Sometimes cult. for its fr. and escaped in the eastern and middle states. Var. heterophyllum, Pepin (var. aconitifolium, Kirchn., var. crispum, Hort., var. laciniatum, Lav.). With divided lvs., sometimes nearly to the base, the lobes irregularly and deeply incised. Var. apiifolium, Kirchn. (var. dissectum, Nichols.). Lvs. 3-parted, usually to the base, the lobes pinnatifid with narrow segms. Var. xanthocarpum, Spaeth (var. fruictu-luteo, Hort.). Fr. yellow. Var. chlorocarpum, Spaeth (var. fructu-viridi, Hort.). Fr. greenish. There are also forms with variegated lvs. as var. variegatum, Nichols., var. marmoratum, Mouillef., and var. reticulatum, Nichols. |
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| | + | ==Cultivation== |
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| − | ==Cultivation and uses== | + | ===Propagation=== |
| − | The fruit has a high natural [[vitamin C]] content. Like the [[redcurrant]] (and unlike the [[Zante currant]], a type of [[grape]] which is often dried), it is classified in the [[genus]] ''[[Ribes]]''.
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| − | In addition to the high levels of vitamin C, studies have also shown concentrated blackcurrant to be an effective [[Monoamine oxidase inhibitor]] (MAOI) (Bormann, et al. 1991.) Fifty grams of 5.5X concentrate was found to inhibit 92% of the Monoamine oxidase enzymes. Blackcurrant seed oil is a rich source of [[gamma-linolenic acid]] (GLA), a very rare [[essential fatty acid]].
| + | ===Pests and diseases=== |
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| − | When not in fruit, the plant looks very similar to the redcurrant shrub; they may be distinguished by the strong odour of the leaves and stems of the blackcurrant {{Fact|date=February 2007}}.
| + | ==Varieties== |
| | + | There are many cultivars of blackcurrant, including:<br /> |
| | + | Amos Black, Ben Alder, Ben Avon, Ben Connan, Ben Dorain, Ben Gairn, Ben Hope, Ben Lomond, Ben Loyal, Ben More, Ben Sarek, Ben Tirran, Big Ben, Boskoop Giant, Cotswold Cross and Wellington XXX.<br /> |
| | + | New varieties are being developed all the time to improve frost tolerance, disease resistance, machine harvesting, fruit quality, nutritional content and fruit flavour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edible-plants.com/blackcurrants.html |title=Edible Plants |publisher=Edible Plants |date= |accessdate=2009-12-06}}</ref> |
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| − | In [[Russia]], it is common to infuse slightly sweetened [[vodka]] with blackcurrant leaves, making a deep yellowish-green beverage with a sharp flavour and an astringent taste {{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Blackcurrant berries can also be used to flavour vodka. In the UK, blackcurrant juice is often mixed with [[cider]] to make a drink called Cider & Black. This drink can be ordered at most pubs. It is also believed that adding a small amount of blackcurrant to [[Guinness]] will bring out a sweeter taste in the beer, making it a better beverage in some beer-drinkers' opinions.
| + | ''R. nigrum'' forma ''chlorocarpum'' <small>([[Franz Ludwig Späth|Späth]]) [[Alfred Rehder|Rehder]]</small><br /> |
| | + | ''R. nigrum'' var. ''chlorocarpum'' <small>Späth</small><br /> |
| | + | ''R. nigrum'' var. ''sibiricum'' <small>[[Wolfgang Wolf (botanist)|W.Wolf]]</small><br /> |
| | + | ''R. cyathiforme'' <small>[[Antonina Ivanovna Pojarkova|Pojark.]]</small><br /> |
| | + | ''R. olidum'' <small>[[Conrad Moench|Moench]], nom. illeg.</small> |
| | + | : List source :<ref name=nopd>{{cite web |url=http://www.northernontarioflora.ca/chklst.cfm?speciesid=1003093 |title=Synonymy - ''Ribes nigrum'' |work=Northern Ontario Plant Database |accessdate=November 11, 2009}}</ref> |
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| − | Blackcurrants have a very sweet and sharp [[taste]]. They are made into [[Jelly (fruit preserves)|jelly]], [[jam]], [[juice]], [[ice cream]], [[cordial]] and [[liqueur]]. In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], Europe and Commonwealth countries, some types of [[confectionery]] include a blackcurrant flavour, but this is generally missing in the [[United States]], even within the same brand. Instead [[grape]] flavour in [[candy]] (including grape [[Jelly (fruit preserves)|jelly]]) almost mirrors the use of blackcurrant in both its ubiquity in the USA, and its rarity on the eastern side of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]].
| + | ==Gallery== |
| | + | {{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery --> |
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| − | ===History===
| + | <gallery> |
| − | [[Image:2005currant_and_gooseberry.PNG|thumb|left|Currant and [[gooseberry]] output in 2005]]
| + | File:Blackcurrant 1.jpg| |
| − | During [[World War II]] most fruits rich in vitamin C, such as [[oranges]], became almost impossible to obtain in the United Kingdom. Since blackcurrant berries are a rich source of [[vitamin C]] and blackcurrant plants are suitable for growing in the UK climate, blackcurrant cultivation was encouraged by the British government. Soon, the yield of the nation's crop increased significantly. From 1942 on almost the entire British blackcurrant crop was made into blackcurrant syrup (or cordial) and distributed to the nation's children free, giving rise to the lasting popularity of blackcurrant flavourings in Britain.
| + | File:Ribes nigrum mustaherukka kukka.jpg| photo 1 |
| | + | File:Ribes nigrum (knospend).jpg| photo 2 |
| | + | Image:Schwarze Johannisbeeren Makro.jpg| photo 3 |
| | + | </gallery> |
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| − | Blackcurrants were once popular in the [[United States]] as well, but they became extremely rare in the 20th century after currant farming was banned in the early 1900s. The ban was enacted when it was discovered that blackcurrants helped to spread the tree disease [[White Pine Blister Rust]], which was thought to threaten the then-booming U.S. lumber industry <ref>[http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/Publications.htm?seq_no_115=174038 US Agricultural Research Service Note]</ref>.
| + | ==References== |
| − | | + | *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963 |
| − | The federal ban on growing currants was shifted to individual States’ jurisdiction in [[1966]]. The ban was lifted in New York State in 2003 as a result of the efforts of [[Greg Quinn]] and [http://www.thecurrantcompany.com/ The Currant Company] and currant growing is making a comeback in several states including [[Vermont]], [[New York]], [[Connecticut]] and [[Oregon]].<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE3D7163EF935A25753C1A9659C8B63 New York Times]</ref> However, several statewide bans still exist including [[Maine]], [[Massachusetts]] and [[New Hampshire]].<ref>[http://www.fruitnet.com/cgi-bin/features.pl?features.REF=54 Fruitnet]</ref>. Since the federal ban ceased currant production anywhere in the U.S., the fruit is not well-known and has yet to reach the popularity that it had in the U.S. in the 19th century or that it currently has in [[Europe]] and the UK. The first nationally available black currant beverage in the U.S. since the ban was lifted in many states is a powerful health-food nectar under the brand name [http://www.currantc.com/ CurrantC]. Since black currants are a strong source of antioxidants and vitamins (much like [[pomegranate]] juice), awareness and popularity are once again growing in the U.S.
| + | <!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 --> |
| − | [[Image:Blackcurrant_1.jpg|thumb|Blackcurrants shrub]]
| + | <!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 --> |
| − | | + | <!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 --> |
| − | ===Cooking===
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| − | Other than being juiced and used in jellies, syrups, and cordials, blackcurrants are used in cooking because their astringent nature brings out the flavour in many sauces and meat dishes and lends them to desserts. It was once thought that currants needed to be "topped and tailed" (the stalk and flower-remnants removed) before cooking. This however is not the case as these parts are easily assimilated during the cooking process. If one prefers to do this, however, the blackcurrants can be frozen, then shaken vigorously. The tops and tails are broken off and can be separated easily from the fruit.
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | {{reflist}}
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| − | ==See also==
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| − | *[[Redcurrant]]
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| − | *''[[Cecidophyopsis ribis]]'' - the blackcurrant gall mite
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| − | *[[Ribena]]
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| | ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| − | Flora Europaea: ''Ribes nigrum'']
| + | *{{wplink}} |
| − | *[http://black-currant.com Extensive website about black currants] | |
| − | *[http://www.blackcurrantfoundation.co.uk/ The Blackcurrant Foundation]
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| − | *[http://www.currantc.com/index.php?src=gendocs&link=Are%20They%20Currants%20or%20Raisins%3F&category=Main/ Are They Currants or Raisins?]: A short essay making a case that blackcurrants are real currants while "Zante currants" (which are known simply as "currants" in the U.S. and some other parts of the world) are not. It shows no awareness of the theory that blackcurrants and redcurrants took their English name from Zante currants, which seem be the same fruits that were called "raysons of coraunce" (with various spellings) in Middle English, from Old French "raisins de Corauntz". It also mistakenly gives the confusion a recent date.
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| − | {{commons|Ribes nigrum}} | |
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| − | [[Category:Saxifragales]]
| + | {{stub}} |
| − | [[Category:Fruit]]
| + | __NOTOC__ |