GROSSULARIACE^ 



317 



Leaves. — The leaves are alternate, palmately lobed, often 

 resinous-glandular or viscid. Stipules are wanting or pres- 

 ent. In all gooseberries and most currants, the leaves are 

 plicate (Fig. loi) in the bud. In a few cases, as the golden 

 currant {Ribes aureum), they are convolute (Fig. loi). 



Inflorescence and Flowers. — Currants and gooseberries 

 usually have a typical racemose type of inflorescence; rarely 

 the flowers are solitary. Each pedicel is subtended by a 



Fig. 129. — A, flower of red currant (Ribes rubrum) in lengthwise section; 

 B, flower of golden currant (Ribes aureum). The portion designated calyx- 

 tube is in reality toral tube. {A after Sargent.) 



bract and usually also bears two bractlets at about the 

 middle. The flowers are perfect, regular, with calyx and 

 corolla both present and well differentiated (Fig. 129). The 

 receptacle (torus) is cup-shaped and surrounds the carpels 

 (Fig. 130). The calyx is divided into four or five lobes, 

 often colored. There are four or five very small petals, 

 scale-like and alternating with the calyx lobes; the petals 

 are free, and inserted on the throat of the calyx tube. The 



