Flowers have 10 sepals instead of the usual five

Black Currant Reversion Virus

Severe or 'Russian' form of reversion found on black currants.
Sepals on affected plants are divided so that it appears that there are 10 instead of 5.
Inset shows normal flower bud.

Russian form of Black Currant Reversion Virus. Photo courtesy of Rex Brennan, Scottish Crop Research Institute.

• Causal agent: Severe form of black currant reversion virus (BCRV), Russia and Scandinavia.
• Crops affected: Black currants

A severe form of reversion is found in Russia and Scandinavia. The 'R' strain of reversion causes the sepals to divide making the plant appear to have 10 rather than the usual 5 sepals. The inset is the normal flower bud. This disease is not present in NORTH AMERICA. This disease causes economically significant damage by severely reducing black currant production.

See: Leaves have fewer jagged edges than normal

See: Flower buds are smooth and not as hairy as normal