Sticky currant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sticky currant |
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| A sticky currant growing in Wenatchee National Forest | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ribes
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| Species: |
viscosissimum
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| Synonyms | |
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The Ribes viscosissimum, also known as the sticky currant, is a type of currant plant. It grows naturally in western North America. You can find it in places like the Pacific Northwest, the Great Plains, and the Southwestern United States.
About the Sticky Currant
The sticky currant is a kind of shrub or bush. It can grow from 1 to 2 meters tall (about 3 to 6 feet). Its stem is covered in sticky, tiny hairs, but it doesn't have any sharp thorns. This plant also smells nice and feels a bit sticky, like resin.
Where It Grows
You can find sticky currants growing in different places. They like mountain forests and areas near streambanks. They also grow in plateau sagebrush areas.
What It Looks Like
The leaves of the sticky currant are thick and rough. Each leaf has three rounded, bumpy parts (called lobes). All three parts are usually about the same size. The leaves can be up to 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) long. They grow on stalks (called petioles) that can be up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruit
The sticky currant has flowers that grow in clusters on a stalk. These clusters can either stand up straight or hang down. Each flower looks like a little bell. It has five parts (called sepals) that are white, green, or slightly pink. These parts spread out at the ends. Inside the flower, there are whitish petals around the parts that help the plant make seeds.
The plant also produces fruit. This fruit is a blue-black berry. Each berry is about 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) long. It's important to know that these berries are not considered safe to eat.
