Useful Nova Scotia Plants

Plants

Skunk Currant

Common name

Skunk Currant

Latin name

Ribes glandulosum

Characters

A smooth shrub with no bristles on the stems nor leaves, but glandular hairy on the fruit. The plants, especially the five-lobed leaves have a skunklike odour when crushed. Toothed around their edges. White flowers from mid-May to June.

Habit

Shrub

Edible Portion

Fruit

Habitat

Rocky coniferous woods and sometimes in alluvial soil or Sphagnum thickets

Geography

Abundant throughout

Used For

Probably of use in jams, jellies and pies. I make an ice cream syrup of it.
Photo: Sean Blaney