[2] The species may be known as various kinds of currants, such as redcurrants, blackcurrants, and whitecurrants, or as gooseberries, and some are cultivated for their edible fruit or as ornamental plants.

[8] First treated on a worldwide basis in 1907,[9] the infrageneric classification has undergone many revisions,[10] and even in the era of molecular phylogenetics there has been contradictory evidence.

[9] Berger's twelve subgenera based on two distinct genera (see Senters & Soltis (2003) Table 1) have subsequently been demoted to sections.

[15] Analysis of combined molecular datasets confirms subgenus Grossularia as a monophyletic group, with two main lineages, sect.

There are restrictions on growing some Ribes species in some U.S. states, as they are the main alternate host for white pine blister rust.

Blackfoot people used blackcurrant root (Ribes hudsonianum) for the treatment of kidney diseases and menstrual and menopausal problems.

[35] European immigrants who settled in North America in the 18th century typically made wine from both red and white currants.