Ribes nigrum

Zwarte bes / Black current

Grossulariaceae (Ribesfamilie)

Northern America (whole), Asia (whole), Asia (north), Europe (whole), Sourth America

Back View cultivars and rootstocks

Edible plant part (3)

Fruits, leaves, buds
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Black current belongs to the small shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is fast. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 0.5 to 1.2 meter and a width of 0.5 to 1 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is half-open. The Black current is decidious. It buds in march and it loses its leaves in september.
This species forms a heart-shaped very shallow root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Black current is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Isfugl, https://www.flickr.com/photos/erikjorgensen/3705056090

foto: Isfugl, https://www.flickr.com/photos/erikjorgensen/3705056090

foto: Aiwok, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ribes_nigrum_flos.JPG

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

slightly acid

neutral

alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early march, mid march, end of march, end of april
Flowering period (length): several months, several weeks
Pollination vector: insects, wind
Plant reproductive fertility: partially self-fertile, self-fertile (sf), sf, more harvest with cross-pollination

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

average

Main serious pests and diseases

rust

Harvest and Consumption

Fruits

Leaves

Buds

Yield consistency / stability: Very stable
Harvest location edible part: Ground layer, knee height
Harvesting period - start: Varies per cultivar, early june, mid june, end of june, early july, mid july, end of july
Harvesting period - length: Several months, several weeks
Harvesting period - recognition: Easy, colour
Harvesting period - uniformity: Medium
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand, simple tool
Ease of removal - edible parts: Easy
Vulnerability to damage during harvesting (edible parts): Resistant
Staying on plant after ripening (edible parts): Long
Thorns: None
Size edible parts: Small, very small
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Several days, week
Nutritional value - relatively high: Vitamins
Suitable markets: Niche
Existing and predicted market demand processed: Yes, with growth potential
Existing and predicted market demand fresh: Yes, market stays saturated
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 2
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 5
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 4
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 8
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 40
Productivity - start (kg) - maximum: 5
Productivity - peak (kg) - minimum: 15
Productivity - peak (kg) - maximum: 20

Suitable markets: Niche

Suitable markets: Niche

Culinary appreciation

Tastes like blackcurrant, making it delicious in juices and jams.

References