How to identify Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum)

How to identify Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum)

Alpine currant presents as a compact, rounded deciduous shrub with a dense growth habit, reaching up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in height and spread. It bears simple, lobed leaves that are broadly ovate, contributing to the shrub's lush appearance. Flowers emerge as yellow-green inflorescences, which give way to small, inedible berries on female plants. The foliage may turn a yellow hue in autumn before shedding, and the bark of older stems has a subtly peeling quality.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Alpine currant

Bright green, lobed leaves measuring 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in length.

Yellow-green inflorescences give rise to small, red, glossy berries less than 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter.

Smooth bark transitions from light grey to brownish grey, with a peeling texture in older plants.

Male flowers in short racemes up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long; female flowers solitary or in pairs.

Compact deciduous shrub reaching 6 feet (1.8 meters) in height and spread, with dense growth.

Detailed Traits of Alpine currant

Leaf Features

Alpine currant has 3-5 lobed bright green leaves that measure 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in length. Initially, the leaves are a vibrant green, becoming deeper and glossier with age. As they mature, they develop a smooth, shiny texture. In autumn, the leaves turn a non-showy yellow before falling. The leaves are notable for their distinct lobed shape and smooth surfaces, making them easy to identify.

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Flower Features

The flowers of alpine currant are small and greenish-yellow, forming on separate male and female plants. Male flowers cluster in short racemes up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long, while female flowers are more solitary or in pairs. Each flower measures about 0.2 inches (5 mm) in diameter. The petals are tiny and almost inconspicuous. These flowers bloom in late spring to early summer and have a subtle, almost nonexistent scent, which is typical for wind-pollinated plants.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of alpine currant is a distinctive small, round berry with a diameter typically less than 0.4 inches (1 cm). These berries exhibit a bright red hue at maturity, presenting a glossy and somewhat translucent appearance. Upon a closer look, one can observe the fruit's skin is smooth, yet it houses multiple tiny seeds within. Although these fruits are not considered edible for humans, they provide a valuable food source for various bird species. As an identifying characteristic, these fruits are primarily present on female plants.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Alpine currant and Their Similar Plants

Red flowering currant vs. Alpine currant: What's The Difference?

Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a deciduous shrub that grows rounded and bushy in full sun. It produces an abundance of small pinkish-red to pale-pink blooms from spring to summer that attract hummingbirds bees and butterflies. It also attracts a variety of wildlife which forage for the blue-black berries that appear in mid-summer.

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry vs. Alpine currant: What's The Difference?

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry (Ribes speciosum) produces flowers that look eerily similar to fuchsias. However, looks can be deceiving because they're not related—not even distantly. California fuchsia is an alternative moniker for the species. If you love hummingbirds, you'll love this plant because it attracts them in droves.

Evergreen currant vs. Alpine currant: What's The Difference?

The evergreen currant is a rare species of evergreen with a very limited range in Santa Catalina Island and Baja California. However, it is a popular species for landscaping. The leaves secrete a citrusy-smelling sap, and the plants produce small red fruit that is attractive to birds.

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Key Facts About Alpine currant

Attributes of Alpine currant

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

1.2 m to 1.8 m

Spread

1.2 m to 2 m

Stem Color

Green

Red

Yellow

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Alpine currant

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Saxifrages, stonecrops and allies

Family

Currant

Genus

Currants

Species

Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum)

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Distribution Map of Alpine currant

Alpine currant is native to the temperate regions of Northern and Central Europe, also encompassing parts of the European mountains. It has been introduced and naturalized in certain parts of Eastern Europe. Additionally, alpine currant has found its way into cultivation, favored for its robustness in various climates.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Alpine currant How to Grow and Care for Alpine currant