Redcurrant - Ribes rubrum

Redcurrant - Ribes rubrum

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Edible plant - novice

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Other common names: None known

 

Scientific name meaning: Ribes is Arabic in origin and means "having sour sap". Rubrum is from the Latin Rubeo, meaning to be red

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Season Fruits in late Spring to Summer

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Habitat - where will I find it? A native shrub that is often cultivated, it can be found growing wild in woodland and hedgerows

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Description - what does it look like? 

Redcurrant has leaves with three lobes and palmate veins. They have no smell when crushed.

The flower heads are dangling racemes of discreet green-coloured flowers. 

The berries that follow ripen to glossy, red spheres

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Possible lookalikes Other currants and Gooseberries, though these are also edible. Gooseberries have prickles on their stems

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Use as a food The berries can be used to make jams, jellies, cordials, wine, syrup, fruit leather, and chutneys. they can be sharp so usually require sugar to sweeten

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Use in herbal medicine Has been used to treat constipation, rheumatism and scurvy

If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner

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Other uses The berries are used in facemasks to firm the skin. Dyes are obtained from the leaves (yellow) and fruit (black)

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Hazards The leaves contain hydrogen cyanide so should not be consumed in large quantities

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Importance to other species Provides an important food source for pollinators, particularly bees

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Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!