Ribes rubrum, known for its resilience, features nearly circular leaves that are hairless or slightly downy on the underside, although it is not currently listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Its floral axis and pedicels are hairless, with calyx being light green or light green-brown, and petals being a light purple-red. This plant is an excellent ornamental species in cold regions, distributed across northern Europe and Asia.
Ribes rubrums are rich in nutrients like vitamins and amino acids, containing ample carbohydrates and dietary fiber that stimulate appetite and digestion.
The entire Ribes rubrum plant is used in medicine, known to soothe the throat, aid expectoration, and treat conditions such as hepatitis and throat inflammation. It contains bioflavonoids that soften blood vessels, reducing blood lipids and pressure while also benefiting gastrointestinal protection.
In the interplay between plants and the environment, ecological factors play a comprehensive role in growth, development, and fruit quality. Ribes rubrums exhibit diverse variations, showcasing adaptability to environmental changes and different habitat types.
(1) Cold resistance: Ribes rubrums exhibit strong cold resistance, enduring temperatures as low as -30°c. However, late spring frosts might damage some flower buds. Generally, they can safely survive winters without specific cold protection, as their early flowering and fruiting periods avoid late frosts, aiding in overcoming the adverse effects of frost and high temperatures.
(2) Drought resistance: Ribes rubrums display robust heat and drought resistance, maintaining normal growth even under dry conditions. Though certain varieties may exhibit leaf scorch due to water loss through transpiration, overall, they demonstrate considerable resilience to drought, influenced by their physiological and genetic factors.
(3) Disease resistance: powdery mildew is a major disease for Ribes rubrums. Despite widespread occurrences, many varieties exhibit normal growth, demonstrating strong disease resistance and laying the groundwork for breeding disease-resistant new varieties.
(4) Light preference: Ribes rubrums thrive in well-lit environments, requiring ample growing space and suitable temperatures.
(5) Soil requirements: Ribes rubrums are not overly demanding in soil conditions, thriving in deep, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic loamy, sandy loam, and humus-rich soils. They also grow well in slightly saline soils.
Ribes rubrums typically possess immune-boosting, vision-protecting, and gastrointestinal-improving properties:
1. Immune enhancement: rich in vitamin C and various minerals, Ribes rubrums aid in bolstering the immune system, aiding in infection prevention.
2. Vision protection: compounds like anthocyanins and vitamin A in Ribes rubrums contribute to eye protection, preventing vision decline.
3. Gastrointestinal improvement: abundant in dietary fiber and beneficial bacteria, Ribes rubrums facilitate intestinal motility, enhancing gastrointestinal function.
Moreover, Ribes rubrums are known for their beauty-enhancing, sleep-improving, and nutritional supplementation benefits. Despite their nutritional richness, they may not be suitable for certain groups, such as those intolerant or allergic. Hence, understanding one's health condition before consumption is advisable.
In Finland, grandmothers often prepare and offer a cup of hot Ribes rubrum juice to their grandchildren suffering from colds. Known as the "Tonsil berry" in Finland, these small berries are believed not only to treat colds and alleviate sore throats but also to address peritonsillar abscesses. The vitamin C content in Ribes rubrums is three to four times higher than citrus fruits.
