About Ribes divaricatum Douglas
Ribes divaricatum Douglas is a woody shrub that can grow up to 3 metres (10 feet) tall. Its branches bear one to three thick brown spines at each leaf node. Its leaves grow on petioles, reaching up to 6 centimetres (2+1⁄4 inches) in length and 2.5–6.5 centimetres (1–2+1⁄2 inches) in width. The leaves are generally palmate in shape, divided into 3 to 5 lobes, and have toothed edges. The inflorescence is a small cluster of hanging flowers. Each flower has reflexed purple-tinted green sepals, smaller white to red petals, and long stamens that protrude beyond the floral structures. The plant produces sweet-tasting purplish-black berries that are up to 1 centimetre (1⁄2 inch) wide. When ripe and black, the berries are edible. Historically, the berries served as a food source for multiple Native American groups of the Pacific Northwest, while other parts of the plant, particularly the bark, were used for medicinal purposes.
