Saxifrage family
Description
A large family of herbs, shrubs and small trees of cosmopolitan distribution, but with its greatest diversity in the northern temporate regions. Only the monotypic subfamily Ribesoideae, which is also considered as a separate family (Family Grossulariaceae), is of economic importance (Saxifragaceae 1).
The leaves are simple, alternate, usually palmately lobed. The flowers are borne in racemes (Saxifragaceae 2). They are regular, with 4 or 5 sepals, petals and stamens, and an inferior ovary. The fruit is a berry.
Use
Many species of the genus Ribes are grown for their edible fruits, e.g. red and black berries, gooseberries.
Described species
Ribes sp., berries and currants
Ribes nigrum, black currant, see Ribes sp.
Ribes rubrum, red currant, see Ribes sp.
Ribes uva-crispi, gooseberry, see Ribes sp.