Currants
What are they?
The currants are a group of woody, often suckering, shrubs. Some species have attractive flowers and are popular as garden ornamentals, while others produce edible berries and, although native, are perhaps better known as culinary garden plants.
Where are they found?
The species of currant in our region consist of native species that are most often found in damp, shady ground, plus a handful of introduced species that may be found as occasional garden escapes in hedgerows, roadsides and waste places.
Identification
These species are relatively easy to identify by a combination of leaf shape and flowers or fruits. Distinguishing the native Red and Black Currants is a little more tricky, but the presence of glands on the underside of Black Currant leaves are easily seen.
Red Currant Ribes rubrum
Possibly native in wet sallow or alder carr in river valleys and the Broads, but also widely found in damp places where probably bird-sown from cultivated sources. Flowers April to May. Palmate leaves without glands and without a strong smell when rubbed. Flowers opening fully to an almost flat, saucer-shape.
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Black Currant Ribes nigrum
Possibly native in wet sallow or alder carr in river valleys and the Broads, but also found in damp places were probably bird-sown from cultivated sources. Less common than Red Currant. Flowers April to May. Palmate leaves with dot-like, yellow glands on the underside and with a strong, musty smell when rubbed. Flowers bell-like, not flat and saucer-shaped.
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Common Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa
Probably not native, but appearing so when growing in old woods. Widespread in a wide range of habitats in woods, hedgebanks, roadsides and rough ground. Flowers April to May. Leaves smaller than those of the currants and stems armed with sharp thorns in groups of three.
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Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum
Introduced from North America and a popular garden shrub. The berries are eaten by birds and bird-sown plants are frequent in urban and suburban places on undeveloped ground, in hedgerows, churchyards and similar places. Flowers April to May. Flowers usually deep red, but may be pale pink or white. Winter twigs and buds reddish with short down on the twigs.
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Buffalo Currant Ribes odoratum
Introduced as a garden ornamental from North America. Formerly reported from Suffolk as a garden escape but there have been no recent records. Flowers April to May. Leaves glossy, deeply three-lobed with rounded tips; stems do not have thorns. Flowers are strongly clove-scented.
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Mountain Currant Ribes alpinum
Native to Europe, including northern Britain. Recorded once from central Norfolk as an introduction but may not still be present. Flowers April to May. Leaves unscented, deeply three-lobed and more sharply-toothed than those of Buffalo Currant.
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