Description
Ribes aureum,
Golden Currant (Native)
Medium, 3 – 8 ft. tall, deciduous, rhizomatous, spreading shrub scattered throughout much of the western half of the US from 2,500 – 8,000 ft. elevation. Most common on fertile, well-drained, loamy, moist to dry soils often growing along roads, fence lines, ditches, drainages and valley lowlands. Tolerant to weak acid and basic soils. Cold-hardy. Good forage and habitat for many species of wildlife. Produces numerous juicy berries relished by birds and small mammals. Fair palatability to livestock and good palatability to browsing wildlife. Good grazing-tolerance. Good for wildlife habitat, windbreaks and native landscaping. Also excellent native shrub for soil stabilization and revegetation of disturbed sites of mining, road construction etc. Will tolerate fairly wet soils and is a valuable riparian and drier-type wetland shrub species. Minimum precip. is 12 inches. Plant in fall 1/8 – ¼ inch deep. 350,000 seeds/lb.
USDA: Plant Profile | Plant Guide
