Ribes nigrum L.

Unarmed, deciduous shrub to 1.5–(2.5) m high, with a characteristic strong odour when bruised; branches and shoots ± erect, glabrous except when young. Lvs plicately folded in bud with petioles to c. 8 cm long, slightly clasping at base; lamina broadly deltoid, 6–11 × 8–13 cm, often smaller on upper part of flowering stems, palmately lobed, with 3, ± triangular lobes; lower surface glabrate with fairly numerous prominent yellow glandular scales; upper surface slightly shining, somewhat rugose; margins crenate to coarsely serrate; base cordate. Racemes pendent, 5–15-flowered; fls ± fragrant. Hypanthium 2–4 mm diam., broadly campanulate to orbicular, green or reddish green, glabrous or hairy, with sessile, yellow, glandular scales. Sepals 3–5 mm long, triangular to oblong-elliptic, green or reddish green, ± villous inside, reflexed at anthesis. Petals 2.5–4 mm long, oblong to broadly ovate or broadly elliptic, white or greenish white. Filaments 2–4 mm long. Fr. 7–10 mm diam. (to 15 mm in cultivation), globose, black, opaque, lacking bloom, glabrous; flesh very aromatic and moderately sweet.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Sep.–Nov.; Fruiting: Dec.–Feb.