The Pacific Northwest boasts a remarkable diversity of wild currants and gooseberries (Ribes). Of nearly 150 species worldwide, 34 occur in the region. All but two infrageneric taxa are represented, including close relatives of the black currants, red currants, and cultivated gooseberries. High ecological diversity parallels this taxonomic diversity: a Ribes species occurs in nearly every terrestrial habitat, from sea level to above treeline, and from swamp to desert. This diversity is a valuable source of agronomically important genes for the plant breeder. In addition, wild Ribes represent a relatively unexplored source of ornamental shrubs. Habit and habitat of a number of species of interest are described and illustrated. An annotated list of species, subspecies, and varieties native to the Pacific Northwest is presented with discussion of taxonomic proximity to Cultivated varieties, range, natural habitat, and ornamental potential.
Intermountain valleys in the Andean region of Bolivia are rich in diversity of Rubus species. Species in both subgenus Orobatus and subgenus Rubus occur in this region. These species include Rubus betonicifolius, R. bogotensis, R. Boliviensis, R. briaceus, R. holtenii, R. imperialis, R. macrocarpus, R. megalococcus, R. nubigenus, and R. roseus. Rubus macrocarpus and R. roseus have previously been determined to be worthy of domestication and commercialization as new crops in tropical highlands. The potential of the other species as new bramble crops and for use in breeding will be discussed.
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