Redcurrant in Europe, Asia and North America, also with edible fruit. These include "Ribes spicatum" (northern Europe and northern Asia), "Ribes alpinum" (northern Europe), "R. schlechtendalii" (northeast Europe), "R. multiflorum" (southeast Europe), "R. petraeum" (southwest Europe) and "R. triste" (North America; Newfoundland to Alaska and southward in mountains). While "Ribes rubrum" and "R. nigrum" are native to northern and eastern Europe, large berried cultivars of the redcurrant were first produced in Belgium and northern France in the 17th century. In modern times, numerous cultivars have been selected; some of these have escaped gardens and can be found in the wild across
Empetrum nigrum winter-warming experiments. The leaves are long, arranged alternately along the stem. The fruits are drupes, wide, usually black or purplish-black but occasionally red. "E. nigrum" can be grown in acidic soils in shady, moist areas. It can be grown for the edible fruit, as a ground cover, or as an ornamental plant in rock gardens, notably the yellow-foliaged cultivar 'Lucia'. The fruit is high in anthocyanin pigment, and can be used to make a natural food dye. In subarctic areas, "E. nigrum" has been a vital addition to the diet of the Inuit and the Sami. The Dena'ina (Tanaina) harvest