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.
Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum Ribes malvaceum, the chaparral currant, is a member of the Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family). It is native to California and northern Baja California, where it occurs from sea level to , in chaparral, foothill oak woodland, and closed-cone pine forest habitats. "Ribes malvaceum" typically grows tall. This perennial shrub lacks the characteristic nodal spines which are demonstrated on the stems of many other members in the genus "Ribes". The leaf blades (20–50 mm) are densely hairy, glandular, and double toothed. Infloresences are 10-25 flowered and open, occurring October to April in native range. The hypanthium (5–8 mm) is pink