Red and white currants are, for all practical purposes, the same fruit, differing only in color. Cultivars are drawn from combinations of primarily three species of Ribes, all deciduous shrubs. The first species is R. rubrum, an upright shrub native from northern Europe across to Siberia and Manchuria. The second species , R. sativum R.vulgare, is a spreading shrub of the cool, temperate regions of western Europe. The cultivar cherry is a largefruited form of R.sativum. And the third species is R. petraeum, a native of high mountain areas of north Africa and Europe. This vigorous grower bears the tartest fruit of all three species, and is represented by such cultivars as Prince Albert and Goudouin. Currant flowers are born towards the bases of oneyearold stems, and on spurs on older stems. Each flower bud opens to a number of flowers, joined together on a delicate, drooping stem, called a strig. Most currants have selffertile flowers, but a few cultivars are partially selfsterile.

Address: PO Box 5000, Coupeville WA 98239
Telephone: 360-679-7327
Website: http://www.island.wsu.edu/CROPS/REDCURRA.htm