Ribes wolfii
Rothr.
Wolf’s currant
(c) Tim Shortell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tim Shortell
(c) Will Pearce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Will Pearce
(c) laceypantalones, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by laceypantalones
What to Eat
Fruit - raw or cooked. Palatable. The black, ovoid fruit can be 3 - 12mm in diameter. Wolf’s currant (Ribes wolfii) produces dusty, hairy, resinous, purplish-blue berries that are among the lowest quality in the genus. The flavor is reminiscent of juniper fruits, with strong resinous overtones, though Wolf’s currant is slightly superior in taste. Beneath the skin, the greenish pulp is more palatable than the seeds, but the berries overall remain unappealing. They are edible fresh or dried, but boiling does nothing to improve the flavor. Gathering fully ripe fruits is important, as this is when bitterness and resinous notes are least pronounced. Fruits mature late in the season, often toward the end of summer and into autumn, when the leaves may already be showing autumn colors. While not poisonous, Wolf’s currant berries are generally considered poor-quality wild food.
Where to Find It
Southwestern N. America - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington.
How to Identify
Ribes wolfii is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
Ribes wolfii is fairly cold hardy, when dormant it can tolerate temperatures falling to around -15°c. Species in this genus are generally easy to grow, preferring a position in sun (where they fruit best) or moderate shade and succeeding in most moist but well-drained soils of at least moderate fertility. This species grows better in a very sunny position if it is cultivated in regions with cool summers. White pine blister rust, caused by the pathogen Cronartium ribicola, is a fungal disease that is native to Asia but has spread via human activity to many other regions, where it has become more virulent. It has a complex life-cycle that requires both currants (Ribes species) and white pines (Pinus species of the section Strobus) for the disease to spread. Whilst Ribes species can generally live with the disease (it has an annual life-cycle and infects the leaves only) Pinus species can be devastated by it (it becomes perennial and spreads through the tree). Young pines are far more susceptible than mature trees. In America the growing of certain Ribes species is banned in some areas in order to protect plantations of white pine species. Plants in this genus tend to be notably susceptible to honey fungus. USDA Hardiness & Weed Potential: Wolf’s currant is native to the Rocky Mountains and Intermountain Region of the western United States and thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–7. It is a native species and not considered invasive or weedy.
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months of cold stratification at 0 - 9°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Under normal storage conditions, the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, late autumn to late winter in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors.
Names & Synonyms
Wolf’s currant (Ribes wolfii)
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