Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Ribes aureum var. aureum (Golden Currant)

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass Rosidae

Order Rosales

Family Grossulariaceae – Currant family

Genus Ribes L. – currant

Species Ribes aureum Pursh – golden currant

Variety Ribes aureum Pursh var. aureum – golden currant

An attractive, deciduous shrub, Golden Currant grows vigorously from 3-10.'

Spicy, golden-yellow flowers from February to April on tall, wand-like stems are sought by hummingbirds.

Birds like the edible black fruits that ripen in mid-July, as do many jam connoisseurs.

Fine for native gardens, this currant is at home in much of North America, except the extreme southern and eastern states. It is hardy in USDA zones 2-10 and is highly tolerant of drought.

For a short comparison of northwest native currants, click here.

 

Photo from Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants, http://prescottnatives.com/SpeciesDetail.php?genus=Ribes&species=aureum