1. Ribes alpinum L. (Eur., N-Afr., Cauc.) – A locally naturalized and increasing escape from cultivation. Already known around 1811 but long considered to be a very rare escape (Durand 1899). Already considered as naturalized near Namur (Statte) around 1889. Furthermore known from the surroundings of Pailhe since at least 1901. A remarkable concentration of records is available from the vicinity of Leuven (Eegenhoven, Heverlee,…). In this area Ribes alpinum was already present around 1865. Most records are from woodland (often but not exclusively on calcareous soils) in or near former estates, castles, etc. Only rarely seen in natural habitats. See for instance Saintenoy-Simon & al. (1995) about the naturalization of Ribes alpinum around Brussel.
Ribes alpinum is probably native close to the Belgian borders (for instance in Luxembourg and westernmost Germany) and some locations in the southeastern parts of Belgium have been claimed as native as well (see also van Rompaey & Delvosalle 1978, 1979). Some recent populations in eastern Belgium may well represent natural range extensions.
Selected literature
Durand T. (1899) Phanérogames. In: De Wildeman E. & Durand T., Prodrome de la flore belge. A. Castaigne Editeur, Bruxelles: 1112 p.
Duvigneaud J. (1990) Quelques observations floristiques effectuées à proximité du château de Houx (Yvoir, province de Namur, Belgique). Nat. Mosana 43(1): 10-14.
Duvigneaud J. & Leurquin J. (1994) Le parc de Paridaens à Beumont (province de Hainaut, Belgique) et ses plantes castrales. Nat. Mosana 47(2): 75-80.
Duvigneaud J. & Saintenoy-Simon J. (1990) La flore et la végétation de la vallée du Hoyoux entre Les Forges et Régissa (Marchin et Vierset-Barse, province de Liège). Nat. Mosana 43(3): 70-84.
Duvigneaud J. & Saintenoy-Simon J. (1993) Le parc du château de Xhos à Tavier (prvince de Liège, Belgique) une belle station de plantes castrales. Nat. Mosana 46(3): 102-108.
Saintenoy-Simon J., Godefroid S. & Verhelpen B. (1995) Groupe Flore Bruxelloise. Notes floristiques relatives à la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (1991-1993). Adoxa 6-7: 27-37.
Van Rompaey E. & Delvosalle L. (1978) Atlas de la flore belge et luxembourgeoise. Ptéridophytes et Spermatophytes. Commentaires. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise: 116 p.
Van Rompaey E. & Delvosalle L. (1979) Atlas de la flore belge et luxembourgeoise. Ptéridophytes et Spermatophytes (2ième éd.). Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise: 1542 cartes.
Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.
Verloove F. (2006) Catalogue of neophytes in Belgium (1800-2005). Scripta Botanica Belgica 39: 89 p.