Blackcurrant Blackcurrant The blackcurrant or black currant ("Ribes nigrum") is a woody shrub in the family Grossulariaceae grown for its berries. It is native to temperate parts of central and northern Europe and northern Asia where it prefers damp fertile soils and is widely cultivated both commercially and domestically. It is winterhardy, but cold weather at flowering time during the spring reduces the size of the crop. Bunches of small, glossy black fruit develop along the stems in the summer and can be harvested by hand or by machine. The raw fruit is particularly rich in vitamin C and polyphenol phytochemicals.
Veratrum nigrum Veratrum nigrum Veratrum nigrum (common name black false hellebore) is a widespread Eurasian species of perennial flower of the family Melanthiaceae. Despite its common name, "V. nigrum" is not closely related to the true hellebores, nor does it resemble them. The plant was widely known even in ancient times. For example, Lucretius (ca. 99 BCE – ca. 55 BCE) and Pliny the Elder (23 AD – August 25, 79) both knew of its medicinal emetic as well as deadly toxic properties. "Veratrum nigrum" is native to Eurasia from France to Korea including Germany, Poland, Russia, China, and Mongolia. The plant