Ribes glandulosum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Saxifragales |
Family: | Grossulariaceae |
Genus: | Ribes |
Species: | R. glandulosum
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Binomial name | |
Ribes glandulosum |
Ribes glandulosum, the skunk currant, [2] is a North American species of flowering plant in the currant family. It is widespread in Canada (all 10 provinces and all 3 territories) and is also found in parts of the United States ( Alaska, the Great Lakes region, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Northeast). [3] [4]
Ribes glandulosum is a deciduous shrub growing to 0.5 m (2 ft) tall and wide. It has palmately lobed leaves with 5 or 7 deeply cut segments. Flowers are in elongated clusters of 6–15 pink flowers. Fruits are red and egg-shaped, sometimes palatable but sometimes not. [5] [6] [2]
It is listed as endangered in Connecticut [7] and New Jersey, and presumed extirpated in Ohio. [8]
It is considered a noxious weed in Michigan, and planting it is prohibited in certain parts of the state. [9]
The Ojibwe people take a compound decoction of the root for back pain and for "female weakness". [10] The Woods Cree use a decoction of the stem, either by itself or mixed with wild red raspberry, to prevent clotting after birth, eat the berries as food, and use the stem to make a bitter tea. [11] The Algonquin people use the berries as food. [12]