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Ribes sanguineum Observations
(red-flowering currant)
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Introduction to the NPN Native Species Observation Program
Red-flowering or winter currant is native in the Pacific northwest. Dark green leaves are lobed and very textured. Fall color is not usually noteworthy, as the leaves may simply turn brown before dropping; some years the leaves will develop some reddish overtones. The intricate flowers hang in delicate clusters. Flowers may be red, pink, or white. They lack fragrance. Some plants may form clusters of fruit with a heavy wax coating that leaves them looking bluish-gray.
Source: Virgina I. Lohr, Washington State University
You should record when five well-defined phenological events occur for red-flowering currant:
- Beginning of flowering, first flowers open (BF) is the date when in at least three places on the plant the first flowers have opened completely
(Photo by Virginia I. Lohr).
- Sprouting of leaves (SL) is the date when the buds begin to burst open in at least three places on the plant under observation. The first green is visible on the young spring shoots and the first scales may fall off the buds.
- Beginning of the unfolding of leaves, first leaf surfaces visible (UL) is the date when in at least three places on the plant under observation first leaves have pushed themselves completely out of the bud or leaf sheath. The leaves have unfolded completely, so that the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible (sometimes only recognizable by bending back the young leaf). At this point, the individual leaf has taken its ultimate form, but has not yet reached its final size.
- Fruit ripe (FR) is the date when in at least three places on the plant under observation, the fruit shows the coloring characteristics of the plant variety (i.e., is ripe), and can be easily removed (i.e., is ready to fall from the plant)
(Photo by Virginia I. Lohr).
- Coloring of leaves (CL) is the date when approximately 50% of the leaves (including those that have fallen to the ground) have taken on the colors of autumn.
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Please record average dates for each event among multiple plants of the same species. Report by email if any plant appears in poor health or event dates for same-species plants vary by more than a few days.
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