Golden Currant

Golden currant (Ribes aureum var. aureum) flowers near the Truckee River. Photo: K. Fitzgerald.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum var. aureum

• Leaves: smooth, bright green, three or five-lobed.
• Flowers: Yellow, trumpet-shaped (March-May).
• Branches: No thorns.
• Fruit: Orange, sweet, juicy berries.

Species Description

This early-blooming shrub brightens the banks of the Truckee River in March and April with abundant yellow flowers. Golden current can grow to ten feet tall, and does well in a variety of habitats, including flood plains and riparian areas (Marshall 1995).

References & Links

Marshall, K. Anna. 1995. Ribes aureum. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/ribaur/all.html [2016, March 31].

Murphey, Edith Van Allen. 1958. Indian Uses of Native Plants. Glenwood, Illinois: Meyerbooks.

USDA. 2016. Plants profile for Ribes aureum var. aureum. Available: http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RIAUA