Stink currant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stink currant |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Ribes
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| Species: |
bracteosum
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The stink currant, also known by its scientific name Ribes bracteosum, is a unique plant found along the western coast of North America. It grows from southeastern Alaska all the way down to Mendocino County in California. This plant gets its interesting common name because some people find its smell a bit strong or "stinky"!
Contents
What Does the Stink Currant Look Like?
The stink currant is a type of shrub that loses its leaves in the fall, just like many trees. This means it is a deciduous plant. It can grow quite tall, reaching up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) high. Unlike some other currant plants, the stink currant does not have any thorns, which makes it easier to handle.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are pretty big, usually 5 to 20 centimeters (2 to 8 inches) wide. They are shaped a bit like a hand with fingers spread out, which is called being palmate. Each leaf has 5 or 7 distinct lobes, or sections.
In the spring, after the leaves have grown, the stink currant produces its flowers. These flowers grow in long clusters called racemes. Each raceme can be 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) long and hold 20 to 40 small flowers! Each flower is tiny, only about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) across, and has five white or slightly greenish petals.
Fruit of the Stink Currant
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces its fruit. These fruits grow in clusters and are a deep dark blue color. They often have a whitish, powdery coating on them, which is called a "bloom." While the fruit is edible, some people find its taste to be a bit unpleasant, which might also contribute to its "stink" name!
Images for kids
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Yellow glands may be seen on leaves.
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Ripened fruit on Kaien Island.
