Ribes spicatum, Robson

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 383

3. R. spicatum Robson in With., Arr. Br. Pl. ed. 3, 2: 265 (1796)

(R. rubrum sensu Jancz. et auct. recent, nonnull., non L.; incl. R. pubescens (Hartman) T. Hedl. , R. hispidulum (Jancz.) Pojark. , R. sehlechtendalii Lange ).

Very like 2 and often confused with it, but leaves usually larger and less cordate, varying from glabrous to tomentose on lower surface; receptacle pelviform, without a raised ring; and anthers about as long as wide, with the lobes almost contiguous on their inner face. 2/2=16. N. & E. Europe; sometimes cultivated in the east, but rarely naturalized outside its native territory. *Au Br Da Fe?Ge N o Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W, E) Su [Cz].

Variable in pubescence, leaf-shape and inflorescence. Several local populations have been described as species or subspecies, but the diagnoses are usually unsatisfactory in view of the variability of the species elsewhere. It seems probable that the arctic and subarctic populations ( R. glabellum (Trautv. & C. A. Meyer) T. Hedl. , Bot. Notis. 1901: 98 (1901)) with nearly glabrous leaves, and those of E. European Russia ( R. hispidulum (Jancz.) Pojark. , Bull. Appi. Bot. Pl.-Breed. (Leningrad) 22: 339 (1929)) with small, usually glandular-hairy leaves, may be entitled to subspecific rank.