Description: Deciduous [or evergreen] shrubs, sometimes spiny, with alternate, simple, usually lobed leaves, often with resinous glands; stipules present or absent.
Inflorescence axillary, raceme-like or flowers solitary or in few-flowered clusters. Flowers actinomorphic, mostly bisexual or if unisexual then plants dioecious; usually 5-merous, floral parts epigynous. Sepals sometimes petaloid, persistent. Petals small. Stamens 5, mostly short. Ovary inferior, 1-locular, with 2 parietal placentas; styles 2, ± fused.
Fruit a juicy berry.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 150 species, Eurasia, NW Africa & America. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
Characters and distribution as for family.
Text by G. J. Harden Taxon concept:
One species in NSW: Ribes uva-crispa |
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