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(c) CK Kelly, some rights reserved (CC BY) |
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| (c) CK Kelly, some rights reserved (CC BY) |
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Summary
Ribes mescalerium is an erect, deciduous shrub that can grow 100 - 200cm tall[270 ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as food. Mescalero currant (Ribes mescalerium) is a rare New Mexico native with edible black berries, adapted to USDA Zones 5–8, and is not weedy.
Physical Characteristics
Ribes mescalerium is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 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.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Homotypic Synonyms: R. inebrians var. mescalerium (Coville) Jancz.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. Palatable[270 ]. The black, globose fruit is 5 - 8mm in diameter[270 ]. Mescalero currant (Ribes mescalerium) is a rare species endemic to central New Mexico. Its fruits are black, globe-shaped, and covered with glandular hairs. Although the berries were located during fieldwork, they were not sampled, so their flavor remains undocumented. Based on related species, they are expected to be edible but likely of average to low quality compared to other currants. Within its restricted homeland, the shrub is not endangered, but its distribution is confined to only a few mountain ranges. Like most currants, berries can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried, though excessive consumption may cause nausea or vomiting [2-3].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Species in this genus are generally easy to grow, preferring a position in the sun (where they fruit best) or moderate shade and succeeding in most moist but well-drained soils of at least moderate fertility[11 ]. 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. While 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[200 ]. USDA Hardiness & Weed Potential: Mescalero currant thrives in montane habitats of central New Mexico and is suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8. It is a native, localized species and is not considered weedy or invasive.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant 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[113, 164 ]. 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[113 ]. 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[78, 200 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Mescalero currant (Ribes mescalerium)
Native Range
Native to: Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, New Mexico, Texas.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.
It is a native, localized species and is not considered weedy or invasive.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Embelia ribes | False black pepper, White-flowered Embelia | Climber | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | S | M | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Rheum ribes | | Perennial | 1.5 |
5-9
| | MH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes aciculare | | Shrub | 1.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes alpinum | Alpine Currant | Shrub | 1.2 |
2-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Ribes altissimum | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes ambiguum | | Shrub | 0.6 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes americanum | American Blackcurrant | Shrub | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes aureum | Golden Currant | Shrub | 2.4 |
3-8
| F | LMH | SN | DM | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Ribes bracteosum | Stink Currant | Shrub | 2.5 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes burejense | Bureja gooseberry, | Shrub | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Ribes californicum | Hillside Gooseberry | Shrub | 0.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes cereum | Wax Currant | Shrub | 1.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes curvatum | Granite gooseberry | Shrub | 1.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes cynosbati | Dogberry, Eastern prickly gooseberry | Shrub | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Ribes diacanthum | Siberian currant | Shrub | 1.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes distans | | Shrub | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes divaricatum | Coastal Black Gooseberry, Spreading gooseberry, Parish's gooseberry, Straggly gooseberry | Shrub | 2.7 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Ribes fasciculatum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Ribes fragrans | | Shrub | 0.6 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes gayanum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes glaciale | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes glandulosum | Skunk Currant | Shrub | 0.4 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Ribes griffithii | | Shrub | 2.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes himalense | | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | |
| Ribes hirtellum | Currant-Gooseberry, Hairystem gooseberry | Shrub | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Ribes horridum | | Shrub | 1.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Ribes hudsonianum | Hudson Bay Currant, Northern black currant, Western black currant | Shrub | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes inebrians | Whisky Currant | Shrub | 2.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Ribes inerme | Whitestem Gooseberry, Klamath gooseberry | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Ribes irriguum | Idaho Gooseberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Expert comment
Author
Coville
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Ribes mescalerium
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