Ribes glandulosum aka Wild Currant

Ribes glandulosum is a low shrub that sheds its leaves. Its common names include skunk currant and fetid currant. It belongs to the currant family, Grossulariaceae. This species is native to North America, including much of Canada. Its range reaches from Newfoundland west to British Columbia and Yukon. In the United States, it occurs across northern and eastern regions. Southern records include North Carolina and Tennessee. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Wild plants grow in wet woods and on rocky slopes.

Plants reach about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres) tall. Their spread reaches about 3.3 feet (1 metre). The branches spread outward or lie close to the ground. This low form suits use as ground cover. The leaves give off an unpleasant smell. Growth starts early in the year. Each flower has both male and female parts. Insects pollinate the flowers. The fruit measures about 0.03 feet (0.008 metres) across. Short, stiff hairs cover its skin.

Grow this currant in a cool site with moist soil. It prefers loam that holds moisture but still drains well. Soil should have at least moderate fertility. It also accepts sandy and clay soils. Suitable soil reactions range from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. Plants grow in sun or partial shade. They tolerate shade, but produce less fruit there. Woodland edges and sites with dappled shade suit its needs. The source reports cold tolerance to about −20°C.

The fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. Reports differ on its appeal as food. One describes juicy fruit with a pleasant taste. Another notes an odour like that of a skunk. People have also made bitter tea from the stems. The source lists no known hazards for this species. It records a past medicinal use of stem decoctions after childbirth. That record does not establish safety or effectiveness.

This shrub can host a stage of white pine blister rust. Avoid planting it near pine trees for that reason. Fresh seed is best sown in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed needs four to five months of cold treatment. Keep seedlings in a cold frame through their first winter. Plant them out in late spring the next year. Half-ripe cuttings offer another way to raise new plants.