Virginia Tech Dendrology

golden currant Grossulariaceae Ribes aureum Pursh Listen to the Latin symbol: RIAU
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous, distinctly 3 lobed with a few coarse teeth near ends of lobes, 1 to 2 inches long, somewhat thickened, glossy green above, paler below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; yellow, tubular showy flowers, borne in spring, hanging clusters several inches long, clove-like fragrance.
Fruit: Glossy black (sometimes yellow to orange), round, 1/3 inch berries in a hanging cluster, resin dotted, ripen in mid summer to late summer.
Twig: Moderately stout, stiff, red-gray, no spines; reddish brown, pointed buds.
Bark: Dark silvery gray with numerous raised lenticels.
Form: An erect wide spreading shrub up to 8 feet tall.
 Looks like: sticky currant - mapleleaf currant - wax currant - red-flowering currant
leaf flower fruit twig bark form1 map
Additional Range Information: Ribes aureum is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting golden currant.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material © 2018 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range maps courtesy USGS from USDA "Atlas of United States Trees" by Elbert L. Little, Jr., Vol. 1 (1971) 3 (1976) 4 (1977) 5 (1978)