Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Ribes hudsonianum is a North American species of currant, known by the common name northern black currant. Ribes hudsonianum grows in moist wooded areas, such as mountain streambanks and in swamp thickets. They are upright to erect shrubs growing one half to 2 meters (20-80 inches) tall. They are aromatic, with a strong scent generally considered unpleasant. Stems are covered in shiny, yellow resin glands that lack spines or prickles. Leaves are up to 10 centimeters long, divided into three, or rarely five, sharp-toothed lobes, having long hairs on the undersides, studded with yellow glands. Inflorescences are erect, spikelike racemes of up to 50 flowers. Each flower is roughly tubular, with the whitish sepals spreading open to reveal smaller whitish petals within. Fruits are bitter-tasting, black berries, about a centimeter (0. 4 inch) wide with a waxy surface, speckled with yellow glands.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

2 - 7 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

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Color

White, Cream, Yellow, Black

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Partial Shade

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Site type

Streamsides

Plant communities

Yellow Pine Forest

Hummingbirds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 13 likely

Confirmed Likely

Dysstroma brunneata

Elegant Sheepmoth

Hemileuca eglanterina