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golden currant

Ribes aureum

Golden currants are sweet, small berries that grow on bushes. They are bright yellow to golden in color and can be found in many gardens and wild areas.

Habitat: Forests and gardens

Appearance

The golden currant is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with clusters of bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Its lobed leaves resemble small maple leaves and often turn reddish in fall. The berries mature from yellow to orange, red, and finally to a dark purplish-black.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSaxifragalesFamilyGrossulariaceaeGenusRibes
golden currant
deciduous trait badgeshrub trait badgespring_blooming trait badgefruit_bearing trait badge
golden currant

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Hummingbirds love to sip nectar from its trumpet-shaped flowers.

Its bright yellow flowers smell deliciously like cloves!

Native Americans used these berries for food and even dyes!

The berries change color from yellow to dark purple as they ripen.

Special abilities

Ability

Drought Master

Golden currant can grow deep roots that help it find water in dry soils, allowing it to thrive where other plants struggle.

Ability

Early Nectar Beacon

Golden currant has sweet-smelling yellow flowers that bloom early in spring, providing vital nectar for hungry pollinators.

Ability

Tasty Seed Spreader

Golden currant produces juicy, edible berries that attract birds and other animals, helping to spread its seeds far.

Measurements & details

Height
100-300 cm
Spread
100-250 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1.5 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Drinks nectar from its flowers

pollinates

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

Feeds on nectar from its blossoms

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Eats the ripe, dark berries

eaten by

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Forages on the fruit clusters

Traits

Also known as

Buffalo CurrantGolden Gooseberry

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking or eating wild berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is golden currant?

100-300 cm

How wide does golden currant spread?

100-250 cm

How big are the flowers on golden currant?

0.5-1.5 cm

When does golden currant bloom?

Spring to early summer

Is golden currant edible?

Yes

Is golden currant toxic?

None

What is golden currant's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is golden currant pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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