Ribes viscossissimum

Sticky Currant

Sticky Currant
This currant gets the tag “sticky” since it is the most viscid of the currants and produces a rather pungent smell as well. Nevertheless the flowers are interesting and beautiful. The flower has a center tube which extends into five short rounded petals and are greenish-white to pinkish. Grouped in drooping clusters of 6 – 12 on a rather straggly shrub which is usually 3′ – 6′ tall (1 – 2 m). The berrries are blue-black, round, and yes, very sticky; and not edible! Not that common in the park. Found in dryish conditions, open woods to 6,500′ elevation.

Family:

Grossulariaceae - GOOSEBERRY FAMILY

Genus:

Ribes from Arabic, ribas, a Moorish medical name for an unrelated plant

Species:

viscosissimum from Latin viscosus meaning 'sticky', or 'viscid'
Photo location: From one location along the Crystal Lakes trail approx. 0.5 mi. from Lower Crystal Lake, appox. 5,000′ elev.