Genus Ribes Research Articles

Genus Ribes: Ribes aureum, Ribes pauciflorum, Ribes triste, and Ribes dikuscha-Comparative Mass Spectrometric Study of Polyphenolic Composition and Other Bioactive Constituents.

This study presents the metabolomic profiles of the four Ribes species (Ribes pauciflorum Turcz., Ribes triste Pall., Ribes dicuscha Fisch., and Ribes aureum Purch.). The plant material was collected during two expeditions in the Russian Far East. Tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect target analytes. A total of 205 bioactive compounds (155 compounds from polyphenol group and 50 compounds from other chemical groups) were tentatively identified from the berries and extracts of the four Ribes species. For the first time, 29 chemical constituents from the polyphenol group were tentatively identified in the genus Ribes. The newly identified polyphenols include flavones, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, lignans, coumarins, stilbenes, and others. The other newly detected compounds in Ribes species are the naphthoquinone group (1,8-dihydroxy-anthraquinone, 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-9(10H)-anthracenone, 8,8'-dihydroxy-2,2'-binaphthalene-1,1',4,4'-tetrone, etc.), polyhydroxycarboxylic acids, omega-3 fatty acids (stearidonic acid, linolenic acid), and others. Our results imply that Ribes species are rich in polyphenols, especially flavanols, anthocyanins, flavones, and flavan-3-ols. These results indicate the utility of Ribes species for the health and pharmaceutical industry.

RIBES FRAGRANS PALLAS: SUPERCRITICAL CO2 EXTRACTION AND TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY

Supercritical fluid technology was used to obtain bioactive substances from leaves of Ribes fragrans Pallas. The supercritical fluid technology proved to be the most effective type of extraction, giving the highest yield of metabolome composition of R. fragrans. Several experimental conditions were investigated in the pressure range 50–300 bar, with the used volume of co-solvent ethanol in the amount of 2.5% in the liquid phase at a temperature in the range of 31–70 °C. The most effective extraction conditions are: pressure 200 Bar and temperature 55 °C for leaves of R. fragrans. The CO2-extract of leaves of R. fragrans contain various polyphenolic compounds and compounds of other chemical groups with valuable biological activity. For the first time, the metabolome of supercritical extracts of R. fragrans leaves was studied in this research. Tandem mass-spectrometry (HPLC-ESI – ion trap) was applied to detect target analytes. The four-stage ion separation mode was implemented 79 different bioactive components have been identified in R. fragrans extracts. Twenty chemical compounds from polyphenol group and twelve chemical compounds from other chemical groups were identified for the first time in genus Ribes.

Ribes fragrans Pall.: Supercritical CO2-extraction and complete plant metabolome

Supercritical fluid technology was used to obtain bioactive substances from leaves of Ribes fragrans Pallas. Supercritical fluid technology showed the strongest extractive effect, which helped to extract the maximum amount of bioactive substances. Several experimental conditions were investigated in the pressure range 50–300 bar, with the used volume of co-solvent ethanol in the amount of 2.5 % in the liquid phase at a temperature in the range of 31–70°C. The most effective extraction conditions were: pressure 200 Bar and temperature 55°C. The CO2-extract of leaves of R. fragrans contain various polyphenolic compounds and compounds of other chemical groups with valuable biological activity. For the first time, the metabolome of supercritical extracts of R. fragrans leaves was studied in this research. Using the method of supercritical extraction of plant matrices with the method of tandem mass spectrometry, it was possible to tentatively identify 79 bioactive compounds, of which 53 compounds are of polyphenol group. 20 chemical compounds from polyphenol group and 12 chemical compounds from other chemical groups were identified for the first time in genus Ribes.

Distribution of fungi of the genera Nectria and Neonectria in the southeast of Kazakhstan

The article presents data on the distribution of microscopic fungi of the genera Nectria and Neonectria in the territory of the south-east of Kazakhstan, developing as saprotrophs on fallen or dead branches of the host, or as wound parasites. The material for the research was the authors’ own collections on the territory of the Ile Alatau, Dzhungarian Alatau, Kungey Alatau, the Ketmen, Terskey and Altyn-Emel ridges, as well as herbarium specimens stored in the mycological herbarium of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction. 5 species of Nectria and Neonectria were identified, developing on 25 species of feeding plants. Most of the samples are represented by the conidial stage. The most common species is Nectria cinnabarina. Among the most affected species are representatives of the genus Ribes L., as well as the genera Acer L., Betula L., Malus Mill. and Rhamnus L. The maximum number of Nectria and Neonectria species was recorded at an altitude of 1200-1600 m above sea level, which corresponds to the belt of steppes, small-leaved and dark coniferous forests. In the steppe belt, representatives of Nectria and Neonectria are found in floodplain forests and shrubs.

Two new species of Ribes (Grossulariaceae) from Peru

The genus Ribes (Grossulariaceae) has a center of diversity in the tropical Andes, especially in Peru. Several new species have been discovered in recent years and additional collections keep turning up material of undescribed species. In the present study we describe two additional new species, both from the wide-ranging species complex around Ribes andicola. Ribes lambayequensis comes from a known centre of diversity of the Andean plants, the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone, but represents the first species of the genus from Lambayeque. It differs most obviously from its geographical neighbor Ribes colandina by its two-coloured flowers in erect inflorescences (versus uniformly dark red flowers in pendulous racemes in R. colandina). The other new species is described from Apurímac and represents the first microendemic species of Ribes from this generally poorly explored region. It is a far southern outlier of the Ribes andicola group, which otherwise finds its southern range limit in the Department of La Libertad. Ribes apurimacensis differs from its closest allies in the Ribes andicola group by an exclusively glandular indument (no simple hairs) in combination with smaller leaves, a serrate leaf margin and dark red flowers.

POLLEN GRAIN STRUCTURE AND POLLINATION IN THE <i>RIBES</i> (GROSSULARIACEAE) REPRESENTATIVES

Currant is an important small-fruit crop that has long been used for medicinal purposes. The systematic position of the genus Ribes in the kingdom Plantae is perceived by researchers unambiguously. However, the internal taxonomy of the genus Ribes and the systematic position of some species in the genus remains a matter of debate.The study of the morphology, fertility and viability of pollen grains is also an important indicator in determining phylogenetic relationships in the genus Ribes. Comparative poral-colpus analysis of pollen makes it possible to determine the similarities and differences in different species and the degree of genetic relatedness of the compared forms. The processes of pollination and germination of pollen in the pistil style in the Grossulariaceae are poorly covered in the cited literature.These problems became the ground for the study, the purpose of which was to determine the characteristics of pollen grains, pollination and germination of pollen on both the pistil stigma and artificial nutrient medium in Ribes species in order to identify species characterized by pollen of maximum viability, suitable for breeding work in the conditions of St. Petersburg.The objects of the study were plants of the Ribes species from the open ground collection of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (R. sachalinense, R. sanguineum, R. rubrum, R. mandschuricum, R. spicatum, R. saxatile, R. aureum, R. alpinum, R. nigrum), as well as the species growing in nursery of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources: R. dikuscha, R. hudsonianum, R. nigrum subsp. europeum, R. nigrum subsp. sibiricum, R. pauciflorum, R. ussuriense. Pollen was examined using a Zeiss EVO-40 scanning electron microscope at the Center for Collective Use of Atomic Force and Electron Microscopy, Herzen University.It was revealed that the studied Ribes plants have normally developed pollen grains of a spherical or elliptical shape, with concave lateral planes, the pollen is porate-colpate. Currant pollen is characterized by wide polymorphism both between different species and within the same species. In all studied species, there are deviations in morphological structure of pollen grains; such pollen does not germinate on an artificial nutrient medium. The most deformed pollen was observed in Ribes mandshuricum, R. ussuriense, R. alpinum, R. dikusha, and R. pauciflorum (12.7–6.7%). The pollen of medium size (21–49 μm) is the most suitable for fertilization. The largest share of the medium-sized pollen is found in Ribes sanguineum, R. ussuriense, R. saxatile and R. aureum (91.8–94.6%). The studied plants have a high percentage of morphologically formed (fertile) pollen (the share of stained pollen is 80.3–96.4%). At the same time, the pollen has a rather low viability when germinated on an artificial nutrient medium, with the pollen of Ribes sanguineum, R. spicatum, R. nigrum, R. ussuriense, R. aureum germinates germinating better than the others (45–29%). Often, the pollen grains germinate with disturbances, which is reflected in the direction of their growth. In some species of Ribes, pollen is able to germinate while still inside the anther. The percentage of pollen germination inside the anther is unequal in the flowers taken from different parts of the inflorescence; the best germination is found in the pollen from the flowers of the central zone of the inflorescence.The pollinators of the Ribes flowers in St. Petersburg are representatives of genera Apis, Bombus and a lacewing Chrysopa oculata. There are 2 peaks of pollinators’ activity: in the morning (10–11 a.m.) and in the evening (5–6 p.m.).The germination of pollen grains on the pistil stigma in the studied plants is active. At a relatively high air temperature, the passage of the pollen tube to the ovule takes 3–5 days. In the ovules on the first day of flowering, mature embryo sacs ready for fertilization are observed. On the walls of the ovary, 4 hemi-orthotropic ovules develop, arranged in 6–10 “levels”. The pollen enters the stigma in a two-celled state. The division of the generative cell into two spermia occurs in the pollen tube during the growth of the latter. The germination of the pollen tube in the canal of the pistil style often occurs with disturbances.The conducted studies allow to recommend the species Ribes sanguineum, R. spicatum, R. nigrum, R. aureum for use in Ribes breeding in the conditions of St. Petersburg.

Analysis of the taxonomic structure of the genus Ribes L. in connection with the introduction in the Right Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Analysis of the taxonomic structure of the genus Ribes L. in connection with the introduction in the Right Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Notes on Peruvian Ribes cuneifolium and Ribes ovalifolium (Grossulariaceae)

The genus Ribes (Grossulariaceae) is widespread across the northern hemisphere, but also species-rich in the tropical Andes. In the Peruvian Andes the genus is mostly found in at least seasonally moist cloud and scrub forests, subparamo habitats and hedges. However, some taxa are from more extreme habitats in semi-arid habitats of the western slope of the Andes (Andean scrub, Ribes ovalifolium) respectively high Andean puna and paramo habitats at elevations of up to 5100 m asl (Ribes cuneifolium and some doubtful segregates). These species share small, weakly divided leaves, making them quite atypical for the genus, usually with large, deeply three- to five-lobed leaves. Both the geographical ranges and the species delimitation for both taxa are poorly understood. We here propose the recognition of only two, well-differentiated species. Ribes ovalifolium can be shown to be wide-ranging from northern Ancash to Tacna, covering nearly the entire western flank of the Peruvian Andes. Similarly, Ribes cuneifolium can be shown to represent a single, wide-ranging species from high elevations of San Martín/La Libertad to Cuzco. There is considerable diversity on details of indument, flower color and leaf shape, but no clear dividing lines permitting the recognition of segregates such as Ribes incertum J.F.Macbr. The only exception are cloud-forest populations of Ribes cuneifolium in Pasco, which we propose to segregate as a new subspecies Ribes cuneifolium subsp. pascoense based on their considerably larger leaves and inflorescences.

Biotechnological methods of maintaining collections of the genus Ribes L.

ISHS VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference on Biotechnology as an Instrument for Plant Biodiversity Conservation (Physiological, Biochemical, Embryological, Genetic and Legal Aspects) Biotechnological methods of maintaining collections of the genus Ribes L.

Ribes himalense as potential source of natural bioactive compounds: Nutritional, phytochemical, and antioxidant properties.

Ribes himalense Royle ex Decne. (family Saxifraaceae, subfamily Grossulariaceae, genus Ribes) is a wild berry fruit with illustrated health‐promoting features, which widely distributed in Northwest China are deficiently exploited. This study aimed to assess the potential of a Ribes himalense as a source of natural bioactive compounds through characterizing its nutraceutical characteristics, phytochemicals properties, and antioxidant ability. Fresh berries were quantitatively analyzed for proximate composition, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, anthocyanins, procyanidin, and polysaccharides contents through China National Food Safety Standard; the characterization and identification of extracts of wild berries obtained with ethanol 30%, ethanol 50%, and ethanol 95% were firstly performed by UPLC‐Triple‐TOF‐MS2. Furthermore, antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract was evaluated via different assay methods such as DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. The results indicated that the most important bioactive composition was procyanidin (0.72%), polyphenols (0.49%), total flavonoids (0.38%), vitamin C (64.6 mg/100g FW), and K (218.44 mg/100 g FW), and a total of 95 compounds were detected with polyphenols, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins as the dominant, and also ethanol extract possessed stronger antioxidant activity. These results suggested that Ribes himalense fruit has great potential in protecting human health, with the focus on the development of functional products.

A newly recorded plant of the genus Ribes from China

A newly recorded plant of the genus Ribes from China

Some results of breeding in the genus Ribes L. in the Asian part of Russia

Black currant is the main berry crop due to the rich biochemical composition of the fruit, winter hardiness, early fruitfulness, high yield, unpretentiousness in reproduction and cultivation. The purpose of the work was to summarize the results of the work on black currant breeding in the breeding centers of the Urals and Siberia. The article reflects the historical development of black currant breeding in Asian Russia. Academician M.A. Lisavenko developed a strategy for creating varieties of three types by origin, combining valuable economic and biological traits in hybrids. Varieties of the first type are obtained from crosses of Western European varieties created on the basis of Ribes nigrum var. europaeum Jancz., with the variety ‘Primorsky Champion’ (R. dikuscha Fisch. ex Turcz.). The second type of varieties is obtained from crossing selected forms of R. nigrum var. sibiricum W. Wolf with the variety ‘Primorsky Champion’ (R. dikuscha). The third type of varieties is derived from the crossing of forms and varieties of two varieties of R. nigrum – R. nigrum var. europaeum and R. nigrum var. sibiricum W. Wolf. The main assortment of black currant in the Asian part of Russia was created by scientists at the Novosibirsk Zonal Horticulture Station, at the Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia n.a. M.A. Lisavenko and Bashkir Research Institute of Agriculture. Systematic improvement of the assortment is the main way to increase the intensity of gardening and increase the production of berries. The contribution of breeders to the creation of adapted varieties is shown.

First Report of Blackcurrant Reversion Virus in Ribes nigrum Germplasm in the United States

Reversion disease, thought to be caused by the eriophyid mite transmitted blackcurrant reversion virus (BRV), is the most economically important disease of black currants (Ribes nigrum L.) and can be found nearly everywhere blackcurrants are cultivated except North America and Australia (Jones and McGavin 2002; Lemmetty et al. 1997; Susi 2004). BRV causes morphological changes to leaves and flowers, reduced flower bud hairiness, decreased plant vigor, sterility, and increased flower pigmentation (Jones and McGavin 2002; Susi 2004). Its host range is limited to the genus Ribes, and the virus rarely infects species other than R. nigrum. National quarantines have been used to prevent the movement of BRV and its vector, Cecidophyopsis ribis Westwood, into the U.S. However, BRV may have been introduced prior to the development of a reliable detection method (Jones and McGavin 2002). The R. nigrum cultivar Burga (PI 653058, from France) has abnormal leaf morphology and was evaluated using next generation sequencing (NGS) during the summer of 2016. During a preliminary analysis, a significant portion of the BRV genome was detected, warranting further investigation. In November 2016, RNA was extracted from leaves of ‘Burga’ and 11 other NCGR black currant accessions, several of which also exhibited suspicious leaf symptoms. RNA was extracted from two symptomatic leaves of each accession and bulked. These samples were assayed in triplicate by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in Oregon for BRV using the iTaq One-Step SYBR green RT-PCR Kit (Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc, Hercules, CA). The primer pairs BRV1-8F/BRV1-8R, BRV1-10F/BRV1-10R, and BR1-F/BR3-R previously developed from BRV RNA-1 were used in conjunction with the recommended annealing conditions (Dolan et al. 2011; Jones and McGavin 2002). Four cultivars tested positive for BRV at the USDA-ARS NCGR: Bogatyr (PI 556413, from Germany); Burga; Minaj Shmyrev (PI 617766, from England); and an R. nigrum selection (PI 617781, from France). Amplicons generated from BR1-F/BR3-R from Bogatyr and Burga were sequenced (GenBank: MH078528-9) and showed greater than 96% identity to published BRV sequences when using BLASTx (ABL84271.1, ABL84276.1, AAO52686.1, AAO52685.1, ABL84275.1, AAO60043.1, AAO52687.1, NP_733982.2, AAO52684.1, and NP_612586.1). In summer 2018, total RNAs were extracted and sequenced again as described by Zheng et al. (2018) on an Illumina NextSeq 500 system. A total of 19,002,868 reads were generated and a de novo assembly was conducted with CLC genomics workbench. A BLASTx search was conducted using the contigs. Four contigs ranging from 178 to 335 bp assembled from 1,066 reads were found to match with the BRV genome with greater than 88% identity. Three of these contigs mapped to BRV RNA1 (MK302449) and one mapped to RNA2 (MK302450). The contigs account for 7% of the BRV genome. The vector, C. ribis, is not known to be present in North America and it is unknown if any mites endemic to North America could serve as vectors. Three of the infected clones have been growing at the NCGR for more than 20 years. These clones had been tested by a graft-bioassay when they entered the country and were thought to be BRV-free. At the time, this graft-bioassay was the only tool available for BRV detection, but it is not sufficient to enforce a BRV quarantine due to low virus concentrations in planta. Germplasm from the NCGR Ribes collection has been distributed to nurseries and research programs across North America as part of the National Plant Germplasm System. To ensure there has not been any spread and that other black currant clones in the NCGR collection are free of BRV, all 200 black currant clones in the collection will be tested for BRV. Distribution records of the four infected black currant accessions were used to identify where these clones have been shipped and the recipients of these materials have been notified.

Management of anthocyanin amount and composition in genus Ribes using interspecific hybridisation

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is commercially important species in Northern Europe and New Zealand. The blackcurrant is rich in phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanins, which are responsible for antioxidant activity of blackcurrant berries. Effect of interspecific hybridization on anthocyanin amount and composition in berries of Ribes hybrids is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the possibility of interspecific hybridisation in Ribes genus in order to increase amount of anthocyanins and to improve their composition, and also to establish cross combinations for breeding blackcurrant cultivars with higher amount of stable anthocyanins and high antioxidant activity. Interspecific Ribes hybrids with similar biological traits to blackcurrant were selected from a pool of 30–60 plants, anthocyanin amount and composition in berries was established. Intersectional cross combinations of R. nigrum and R. sanguineum (Calobotrya section) or R. aureum (Symphlocalyx section) enable creating hybrids with larger total anthocyanin amount and larger proportion of cyanidins compared to blackcurrant. Breeding of blackcurrant with redcurrant (from Rybesia section) allows increasing total anthocyanin amount in berries and does not alter anthocyanin composition.

Glandular trichome structures and chemical composition of the volatiles of five Ribes species from Turkey

ABSTRACTCurrant and gooseberry, the genus Ribes, is represented by eight species in the Flora of Turkey. We examined structures of glandular trichomes and composition of the essential oils from leaves of five Ribes species. The glandular trichomes were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The glandular hairs with multicellular stalk and usually multicellular head were observed in these species. The leaf volatiles of Ribes species obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC-FID (gas chromatography - flame ionization detector) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. The main constituent of Ribes orientale, Ribes alpinum, Ribes petraeum and Ribes rubrum oils was 1-octen-3-ol (28.1%, 19.7%, 13.3%, and 9.4%, respectively). Hexadecanoic acid (13.8% and 11.9%) was detected in R. petraeum and R. multiflorum as major component, respectively. (Z)-3-hexenal (11.7%) was found in R. rubrum oil as the major constituent.

СМОРОДИНЫ (RIBES L., GROSSULARIACEAE) БОТАНИЧЕСКОГО САДА ПЕТРА ВЕЛИКОГО

The Peter the Great Botanical Garden of the V. L. Komarov Botanical Institute (BIN), Russian Academy of Sciences, is one of the leading centers of arboriculture in the North-Western Russia. A majority of representatives of the genus Ribes L. are winter-hardy and very ornamental. There are 16 species and 2 forms in the Garden's modern collection. All taxa, except R. biebersteinii Berl. ex DC., produce flowers and fruits. There are certain samples of considerable age, up to 100 years old. In recent years, in the early 21st century, the collection has continued to be replenished with new species and samples. There are a number of species and forms promising for urban landscaping in St. Petersburg and other cities of the North-Western Russia, and for wider distribution outside botanic gardens: Ribes diacantha Pall., R. sachalinense (Fr. Schmidt) Nakai, R. sanguineum Pursh, etc. Many species are valuable berry- producing shrubs, honey-yielding, medicinal and ornamental plants. They are suitable for urban landscape architecture, city parks, or afforestation. Besides, they are of special interest for planting in stony plots and rocky gardens. There are considerable reserves to replenish the collection of the Peter the Great Botanical Garden both in the contexts of repeated (R. fasciculatum Siebold et Zucc.) or primary introduction of Ribes taxa (R. menziesii Pursh, R. ambiguum Maxim. etc.). There are new species in the arboreal nursery of the Botanic Garden, such as R. atropurpureum C.A. Mey., which may occupy their permanent place in the Garden in the coming years. The present article is based on the data of the 2017 inventory, and has been prepared within the framework of the forthcoming publication Annotated Catalogue of the Outdoor Collection of Living Plants at the Peter the Great Botanical Garden.

К РЕПРОДУКТИВНОЙ БИОЛОГИИ ОТДАЛЕННЫХ ГИБРИДОВ В СЕМЕЙСТВЕ GROSSULARIACEAE

Pollen morphology and pollen quality in distant hybrids of the genus Ribes L. were studied in the Russian North-West. A rather high fertility level was found in the studied hybrids, except for the triploid ‘Dlinnokistnaya CGL’. A connection between anomalous morphological features of the pollen wall structure and the pollen fertility level has been found in the studied samples.

ОЦЕНКА ВИДОВ РОДА RIBES L. В УСЛОВИЯХ ИНТРОДУКЦИИ

ОЦЕНКА ВИДОВ РОДА RIBES L. В УСЛОВИЯХ ИНТРОДУКЦИИ

Quality assessment of juice prepared from different varieties of currant (Ribes L.)

In the Slovak Republic currants are traditionally grown species of small fruits mainly in house gardens. Although currently their area is very small compared to the other types of fruit. We can see the importance of growing this genus (Ribes L.) in its good adaptability to climate conditions, in small growing demands and in stable production of nutritionally highly valuable fruit. Currant berries as well as fresh currant juice are characterized by the presence of whole complex of antioxidant active substances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality of currant juice prepared from various species and varieties of genus Ribes (L.). based on the content of their total polyphenols, anthocyanin dyes and antioxidant activity. In work we used varieties Blanka, Primus, Viktória, Heinemannova neskorá, Red Lake, Treny, Jonkheer van Tets, Fertödi, Titania, Triton and Öjebyn. Contents of evaluated components were assessed spectrophotometrically. Total polyphenol content of monitored samples determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method reached values from 1897.43 mg GAE.dm-3 DM to 3712.21 mg GAE.dm-3 DM. The highest one was in juice from variety Primus and the lowest from variety Blanka. In white varieties of currant, the presence of anthocyanin dyes was immeasurable. In varieties of red and black currant anthocyanin dye content achieved values from 1947.64 mg.dm-3 DM (Jonkheer van Tets) to 4161.07 mg.dm-3 DM (Heinemannova neskorá). The antioxidant activity determined by the FOMO method reached values from 4130.42 mg AA.dm-3 DM to 6571.69 mg AA.dm-3 DM. We recorded the highest antioxidant activity in juice of variety Fertödi and the lowest of variety Primus.

Seed morphology of the native species of the genus Ribes L. Part 2. The characteristics of individual species

In this work the results of studies on the seed morphology of 6 native species of the genus <em>Ribes</em> L.: <em>R. uva-crispa</em> L., <em>R. nigrum</em> L., <em>R. alpinum</em> L., <em>R. petraeum</em> Wulfen, <em>R. rubrum</em> L. and <em>R. spicatum</em> Robson are presented. The diagnostic features of the investigated seeds are: colour and sarcotesta structure, aril size, seed coverage by arils, seed outline and the length to width ratio. The complex of these features allows to differentiate such species, as <em>R. uva-crispa</em>, <em>R. nigrum</em> and <em>R. alpinum</em>. The other species: <em>R. petraeum</em>, <em>R. rubrum</em> and <em>R. spicatum</em> can not be seperated, on the basis of the seed. Within the seeds devoid of outer parenchyma) layers of exotesta only the seeds of <em>R. uva-crispa</em> and <em>R. nigrum</em> can be seperated. Then the seeds of other species look the same. Two keys to determine the seeds of the investigated species, based on the fruit features, fresh seeds and "cleaned" seeds form the recapitulation of the work.