Red Flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum
Red flowering currant is a large deciduous shrub, growing up to 10 feet tall and broad. The multi-stemmed bush is upright and rounding in form, though it can grow more like a tree. The bark is dark brownish-gray, which pales near the end of the slender twigs. The soft, hairy leaves are typically 2-7 cm long and broad, though they can be larger, and have 5 shallow lobes. The flowers bloom in drooping clusters, known as racemes. The dangling clusters, 3-7 cm long, produce 5-30 flowers, each of which is 5-10 mm in diameter and has 5 petals. The petals range from pale pink to red in color. The fruit is a rounded, slightly hairy dark purple berry that is about 1 cm long.
Basic Information
Member of the Grossulariaceae (Currant or Gooseberry) family, which includes the Hillside Gooseberry (Ribes californicum)
Deciduous shrub
There are two recognized variety of this plant
Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum — Oregon and California south to Santa Barbara County; light pink flowers
Ribes sanguineum var. sanguineum — California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington; bright red flowers
Habitat
Native to western coastal North America from central British Columbia south to central California
Found along the coast and in the Coast Ranges in California
Commonly found in chaparral, woodland, and stream sides
Ecological Role
The nectar produced in early spring is consumed by hummingbirds and butterflies
Hosts moths in larval stages
Leaves are occasionally eaten by deer and elk
Birds consumed by birds and small mammals
Branches provides nesting material for birds
Reproduction
Blooms from December to March
Flower bloom at the same time as leaves emerge
Alternative Names
Redflower currant, red currant, flowering currant
Historical Uses
The berries were eaten by a number of tribes, including the Chehalis, Hoh, Klallam, Quileute and Mahuna
Additional Information
During the early to mid 20th century, there were eradication efforts as the species is a host to white pine blister rust, which led to the plant being federally restricted until the ban was lifted in 1966 due to increased resistance among both Ribes and Western white pine populations.
