PNW Native
Shrubs grow 3-8 ft tall, woody stems have reddish-brown bark, leaves are alternate and distinctly 5-lobed with rounded leaf tips. Underside of the leaf is hairier and paler than the top of the leaf. Small flowers (¼ in. long) range from white to a rich deep reddish-fuchsia in dense clusters of 10-40 flowers. Dark berries are 7-9 mm long, covered in hairs, and unpalatable. (2) The plant ranges along the West coast from British Columbia through California. (3)
Red-flowering currant thrives in rocky slopes, dry woods, and disturbed sites. (3) The currant provides early-spring nectar to insects and hummingbirds and is a food source to over 25 species of moths and butterflies. The berries are eaten by numerous species of birds and small mammals and the plants occasionally serve as browse for larger animals. (1)
Red-flowering currant berries were considered insipid and not well-regarded by local Coast Salish groups such as the Saanich and Suquamish. The tart berries were eaten raw, but not typically picked with the specific intention to dry and preserve. (2)
The famous botanist David Douglas introduced the red-flowering currant as an ornamental in Europe where it became wildly popular. (3)
Red-flowering currants are highly valued ornamentals with over a dozen different cultivars used, in fact, rumor has it the exportation of red-flowering currant alone paid off all David Douglas’s two year long voyage costs. (3)
Its drought tolerance may make the currant useful in restoration plantings, and disease resistance in the species has led to investigation of the currant’s antifungal and antiviral properties in an attempt to confer resistance to other species of currant. (1)
