To determine the extent to which pollinator scarcity and/or specificity may account for the rarity of Ribes echinellum, and to provide information for protection, pollinators and pollinator behavior were observed. The primary pollinators at both Florida and South Carolina stations were large bees including species of Bombus, as well as Habropoda laboriosa. The pollinators are widespread, at least locally common, and are not host-specific, apart from an association with pendent blossoms in Habropoda laboriosa. Although neither pollinator rarity, nor pollinator specificity, appear to provide an adequate explanation for the rarity of Ribes echinellum, high floristic diversity in relicts of mesophytic forest may contribute to the persistence of the rare shrub by maintaining the large bee populations necessary for cross-pollination. The bees land on the pendent flowers immediately assuming an inverted position while grasping the reflexed calyx lobes and petals with hindlegs, and stamens and style with forelegs. In this position the anthers and style tips are brought into contact with the ventral thorax and abdomen, while the bee probes the floral tube. Protandry and circumstantial evidence suggest a reliance on pollinators for fruit development.