This is a widespread northern species that is probably dispersed south occasionally by birds. In addition to recent colls. of G. Libby from MADI (EKY) and C.T. Kirk from LEE (EKY), there are old records of C.W. Short from BATH (PH; see M) and of Nelson (1919) from BOON. Allied species of "currant" (Ribes sect. Ribesia) may be expected (J), especially R. odoratum H.H. Wendl. (= R. aureum var. villosum of FNA 8), which has a more northwestern range but was recently discovered in adjacent w. Tenn., where apparently native (Ch; D. Estes, pers. comm.). Colls. from CALL (MUR), JEFF (DHL), MADI (BEREA) and PEND (KNK) appear to be from cultivated plants. R. odoratum has been widely cultivated in northeastern states and adjacent Canada, where it has escaped, especially in urban areas (K). It differs from americanum as follows (FNA 8, W): flowers yellow to yellowish green in hypanthia, or to golden yellow in sepals, or to red in petals (versus all green, greenish white, white, cream, or pink to red); pedicels 2-8 mm long (versus 0.1-2 mm), about as long as the obovate bracts which are 4-9 mm long (versus shorter than the lanceolate bracts which are 3-10 mm long);; mature fruits black, rarely red, orange, brown or yellow (versus only black); leaves with or without scattered golden glands (versus with such glands).