Pollinator plant

Blackcurrant

Ribes nigrum

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Common names

13 names

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

English
  • Black Currant[2]
  • Blackcurrant[1][2]
  • European black currant[3]
Dutch
  • Zwarte bes[2]
French
  • Cassis[2]
  • Cassissier[2]
  • Groseillier noir[2]
German
  • Schwarze Johannisbeere[2][3]
  • Schwarze Ribisel[2]
Italian
  • Ribes nero[2]
Portuguese
  • Cassis[2]
  • Groselheira-preta[2]
Spanish

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • blackcurrant — Page 2, column 2, row top 247 pt; common-name cell after Ribes nigrum.; Ribes nigrum.
[2] Ribes nigrum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Blackcurrant — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Zwarte bes — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Cassis — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Schwarze Johannisbeere — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Schwarze Ribisel — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Black Currant — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Casis — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Cassissier — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Groseillier noir — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Ribes nero — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Cassis — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
  • Groselheira-preta — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 54430; Ribes nigrum.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Ribes nigrum ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Schwarze Johannisbeere (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 174043; taxon 4SYG6.
  • European black currant (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 174042; taxon 4SYG6.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Ribes nigrum is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Grossulariaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Ribes nigrum in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [2]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.80 m high × 1.80 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Fruit, Tea
Functions
Cosmetic, Dye, Preservative
Edibility
5 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Vegetables - to be consumed both raw and cooked. The fruit has a wonderfully aromatic flavor. When fully ripe, the fruit is very tasty to eat raw, but it is also often used in pies, jams, etc. The fruit is very rich in vitamin C and has a diameter of about 10 mm, although selected varieties may have larger fruits. The leaves of this plant are used in soups, and the dried leaf can serve as a coffee substitute. Occasionally, they are added to herbal tea blends for an extra flavor.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Ribes nigrum — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1146403; ID 4SYG6; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1146403; ID 4SYG6; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 2, entry Ribes nigrum (top 247 pt)

    Source checked on .