CHAPTER XIII 

 VARIETIES OF CURRANTS 



THE currant culture of the United States is largely 

 founded upon the European species bearing the name 

 Ribes vulgare, Lam., although almost universally known 

 heretofore as R. rubrum (Fig. 40). The latter name is now 

 applied to the northern red currant found chiefly in north- 

 ern Europe and Asia, which is rare in cultivation. The 

 two species differ in a few minor botanical characteristics. 

 The larger-leaved and large-fruited type known as " cherry 

 currants" is recognized under the botanical name Ribes 

 vulgare var. macrocarpum. 



In its wild state the garden currant is a northern plant, 

 chiefly found in cool damp locations, and it thrives best 

 under similar conditions in garden culture. In cultivation, 

 it has become somewhat variable in character of fruit and 

 foliage. Instances are reported 1 in which both red and 

 white fruits have been produced upon the same branch. 

 In one case 2 three red, three white and one striped fruit 

 were found in the same cluster. The red currant of north- 

 ern North America, formerly confused with the garden 

 currant seems to be the swamp red currant, now known as 

 R. triste, Pall. 



The European black currant belongs to the species Ribes 



1 Darwin, Animals and Plants under Domestication, 1 : 400. 



2 Gardener's Chronicle, 26: 268. 



299 



