Chapter 4.3
4.3 The Wild Black Currant
Grace E. Mrkobrada , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Mrkobrada,E,G. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
General overview
A green plant that stands up to seven tall (Okoli; Wild Black Currant). It has flowers that slope downwards with a bell shape to them (Okoli). These flowers grow in groups and produce simple green leaves (Figure 1; Okoli). The leaves and fruit may have a slightly hairy surface (Okoli). Its branches are darker in colour, often a medium brown. It produces white flowers and black coloured berries in the summertime (Figure 1; Okoli; Wild Black Currant).It is naturally found in moist areas around North America however, it is not restricted specifically to these conditions (Marshall, 1995). The versatility and hardiness of this plant is large, it is not particular when it comes to the conditions in which it will grow (Marshall, 1995). It is possible for this plant to grow at an elevation of 8,000 ft and reproduces by seed (Marshall, 1995). These seeds are widely spread by means of birds and other animals (Marshall, 1995). Once a seed has been planted it will take 3 years for fruit to appear, after this, the fruit ripens yearly from August to September (Marshall, 1995).
Benefits to animals
The wild black currant is often eaten by animals. Mammals from small to large enjoy consuming these ripened fruits in the wild (Marshall, 1995). This food and other shrubs are often eaten by moose (Irwin, 1985). The wild black currant also seems to be a favourite among birds (Marshall, 1995).
Benefits to humans
The cousin of the wild black currant, Ribes nigrum is very high in vitamin C, this may also apply to the wild black currant (Health Benefits of Black Currant). Vitamin C aids the human body in many ways and it has been studied to help with colds, cancer, and cataracts (Vitamin C). Scurvy occurs in humans when there are low levels of vitamin C, though this deficiency is not common (Vitamin C). In indigenous communities such as the Omaha people, the wild black currant was used to aid those with kidney problems (Gilmore, 1919). The roots would be made into a sort of liquid drink which was then consumed (Gilmore, 1919). The outer layer of the roots has been used to aid those with worms and inflammation (Ribes americanum - Mill.).
Benefits to improve life
Due to the fact that the wild black currant is not grown for the commercial market, it can be a great plant to grow in parks, community gardens, and conservatories. This is a great plant for human and animal foraging, and can be grown in a variety of conditions. There are not many opportunities for this plant to increase employment other than it needs to be researchers. However, it is possible for people to be hired to plant this species in order to reintroduce this native species to its natural landscape.
.
Benefits to society
Though this fruit is not the most common variety of currant, it is important to reintroduce it into its natural habitat, helping to reconnect indigenous peoples to their culture. This fruit could be planted in community gardens and utilized by organizations to supplement low income communities (Food Share). This food has been relatively ignored and it is important for it to be further studied and utilized. Overall, this fruit aids society by producing food that is able to be consumed in multiple, useful forms and it is able to help with many health issues (Gilmore 1919). It has been shown to improve the health of women and is able to improve the overall health of kidneys (Gilmore 1919).
Benefits to the Environment
The Canadian government is trying to preserve honey populations but are ignoring a large issue (Hristova, 2019). Native bee populations are endangered and their numbers are declining (Hristova, 2019). This is likely due to the fact that wild, non honey producing bees, cannot be profited off of (Hristova, 2019). However, native bee pollinators are responsible for a large portion of food on tables yet are not preserved by laws (Hristova, 2019). However, the wild black currant can potentially aid this as bee species are attracted to the flowers that the plant produces (Hilty).
Benefits to women and children
The wild black currant has many uses that are not just for human consumption (Gilmore 1919). Its components are used for a variety of health issues (Gilmore 1919). Indigenous people such as the Winnebago Tribe used this species of plant as specifically helpful for women (Gilmore 1919). Similarly to its use for aiding kidney problems and inflammation, the roots of this plant can be utilized to treat those with issues of the uterus (Gilmore 1919). This may be due to the fact that black currants contain chemicals called anthocyanins which give the plant its dark coloured pigmentation (Nanashima et al., 2017). Anthocyanins also have been proven to aid those with breast cancer and those going through menopause by interacting with other chemical compounds (Nanashima et al., 2017). Its cousin, Ribes nigrum, was used by the British government during both world wars to create a syrup (Kitsteiner, 2015). This syrup was then given to children younger than two years for free (Kitsteiner, 2015). This was due to the fact that black currants are very high in vitamin C (Kitsteiner, 2015). The wild black currant likely has similar effects.
Toxicology
There are no known toxic or hallucinogenic effects of a typical black currant on humans alike though research needs to be done to determine if dried leaves are good to consume (Stuart). This fruit is safe to ingest in many forms (Stuart). There are also no known effects on animals as wild mammals consume them regularly (Marshall, 1995).
Cultivation
Although this fruit is not very commonly known, it is very easy to grow and tend to (Ribes americanum - Mill.). The wild black currant prefers very drained soil with lots of moisture (Ribes americanum - Mill.). In 1911 the U.S. banned all Ribes species from being planted across the country (Brownlee, 2018). However, it was rescinded in 1966 which allowed for each individual state to determine their own laws on the Ribes family (Brownlee, 2018). The most common black currant, Ribes nigrum, is the most likely currant to spread this disease (Brownlee, 2018). This plant was a victim of eradication efforts in the start of the 20th century under the false pretense that it was a spreader of white pine blister rust (Ribes americanum - Mill.). Though the extermination of this plant was thankfully rescinded under the law and currently not allowed to be planted in a select few areas. The plant is a minor host of this disease but does not pose a significant or deadly threat to the overall population and wellbeing of white pines (Ribes americanum - Mill.). A great method to prevent this is to not plant a wild black currant plant near white pines (Ribes americanum - Mill.).
References
1. Brownlee, M. (2018, June 27). Ribes americanum (American black currant). ArcheWild. Retrieved from https://archewild.com/species-spotlight-ribes-americanum/.
2. Connon Nurseries. (n.d.). Wild Black Currant. Connon Nurseries.
3. Davis, E. M. (n.d.). Wild black currants with distinctive Ribes leaves. Wild Food Girl. Wild Food Girl. Retrieved from https://wildfoodgirl.com/2010/jellies-and-jams-my-currant-obsession/.
4. Gilmore, M. R. (1919). Uses of Plants. University of Nebraska Press. Retrieved from https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Uses_of_Plants_by_the_Indians_of_the_Mis/lFhUTTnsi10C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover.
5. Hilty, J. (n.d.). Wild Black Currant. Illinois Wildflowers. Retrieved from https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/wb_currant.htm.
6. Hristova, B. (2019, July 31). 'It's almost too late:' Canada protects honey bees but native bee species are becoming endangered. National Post. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-has-no-standardized-method-for-tracking-native-bee-species-until-its-too-late-researchers-say.
7. Hypenotic. (n.d.). Food Share. Retrieved from https://foodshare.net/.
8. Irwin, L. L. (1985). Moose Food Habits. In The Canadian field-naturalist (Vol. 99, pp. 242–242). essay, The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club. Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28065257#page/256/mode/1up.
9. Kitsteiner, J. (2015, March 23). Permaculture Plants: Currants. Temperature Climate Permaculture. Retrieved from http://tcpermaculture.com/site/2015/03/23/permaculture-plants-currants/.
10. Marshall, A. K. (1995). Species: Ribes americanum. Fire Effects Information System .
11. Nanashima, N., Horie, K., & Maeda, H. (2017, December 29). Phytoestrogenic Activity of Blackcurrant Anthocyanins Is Partially Mediated through Estrogen Receptor Beta. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017224/.
12. Okoli, A. (n.d.). Ribes Americanum (Wild Black Currant) Saxifragaceae. Lake Forest College. Retrieved from https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/environmental-studies/ribes-americanum-(wild-black-currant)-saxifragaceae.
13. Plants for A Future. (n.d.). Ribes americanum - Mill. Plants for A Future. Retrieved from https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Ribes+americanum.
14. Stuart, A. (n.d.). Black Currant. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/black-currant-uses-and-risks.
15. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Vitamin C. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/.
16. Verdonk, P. (2013). American black currant. Flickr. Flickr. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/7551546@N08/8983477266.
17. WebMD. (n.d.). Health Benefits of Black Currant. Nourish. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-black-currant#1.