Species › Plants › Golden Currant

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

CommonPlant
Illustration of Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)

Golden Currant is a native shrub of western mountains and canyons producing sweetly fragrant yellow flower clusters in early spring that are among the first available nectar sources for hummingbirds and early bees. The yellow to red-to-black berries are sweet and edible, relished by bears, raccoons, and many songbirds.

Habitat
Rocky canyons, stream banks, and hillsides in western North America
Diet
Early flowers for hummingbirds and native bees; berries eaten by bears and birds
How common
Common

Best time to see a Golden Currant

The best time to see a Golden Currant is March–May, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 14,200 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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