Currant Bush

Antidesma parvifolium F.Muell.

Currant Bush is a bush that produces small, tart berries. They can be red, black, or white and are great for cooking!

Habitat: Currant bushes enjoy cooler climates and can be found in gardens and forests.

Appearance

The Currant Bush has glossy, dark green leaves, often with reddish new growth. It produces small, green flowers that develop into clusters of shiny, round berries, which ripen from red to black.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyPhyllanthaceaeGenusAntidesma

Currant Bush

Interesting facts

Indigenous Australians have traditionally eaten its tart, juicy berries raw or cooked!

It often grows in dense clusters, making perfect hiding spots for small creatures!

Its common name is tricky; it's not a 'true' currant at all!

Its scientific name, *parvifolium*, means 'small-leaved,' referring to its tiny leaves!

Special abilities

Currant Bush can survive dry spells thanks to its tough leaves and roots that help it conserve precious water.

Currant Bush has tasty berries that attract birds, helping to scatter its seeds far and wide for new plants.

Currant Bush can adapt its leaves to thrive in both shade and sun, helping it grow in many different places.

Measurements & details

Height: 150-400 cm
Spread: 100-300 cm
Flower Size: 0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Spring-Summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Rose-crowned Fruit-dove

Ptilinopus regina

Feeds on ripe currant bush fruits.

Eaten by

Figbird

Sphecotheres vieilloti

Enjoys the sweet, juicy berries.

Pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits its small flowers for nectar.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Fruit Bearing

Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Fruit Tree

A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Temperate Rainforest

This habitat trait identifies species found in temperate rainforests, characterized by significant rainfall, mild temperatures, and dense evergreen or deciduous forests in coastal regions.

Also known as

Black CurrantRed CurrantRed-flowering CurrantWhite Currant

Collections

Grasses Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Currant Bush?

Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Currant Bush?

150-400 cm

How wide does Currant Bush spread?

100-300 cm

How big are the flowers on Currant Bush?

0.2-0.5 cm

When does Currant Bush bloom?

Spring-Summer

Is Currant Bush edible?

Yes

Is Currant Bush toxic?

None