Also called Buffalo currant. Deciduous root-spreading shrub up to 10 ft. tall with globe-like berries and showy yellow trumpet shaped flowers with reddish-tinged centers, blooming February to August. Widely adapted, occurring on fine to sandy well-drained loam soils of cliffs, mountain slopes, ravines, floodplains, streamsides, washes and near springs in grasslands, coniferous forests, woodlands, mountain shrub and riparian communities, though drought tolerant; up to 9,000 ft. elevation. Broad distribution but rarely abundant. Often found with willows and Wood’s rose (Rosa woodsii). Good for restoration of rangelands and able to grow on some mine tailings. Cultivated as a landscaping ornamental. Rhizomes sprout after disturbance and fire. Provides cover and forage is browsed by wildlife. Fruits are an important food for numerous birds and small mammals. Flowers attract hummingbirds, bumble bees, butterflies and the Clark’s sphinx hawkmoth.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Grossulariaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Shrub

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Rhizomatous

Mature Height: 10 ft.

Bloom Color: Yellow

Fruit/Seed Color: Red

Bloom Period: Mid spring

Annual Precipitation: 12-20 in.

Drought Tolerance: Medium

Shade Tolerance: Intermediate

Elevation: 3,500-8,000 ft.

Wetland Indicator Status:

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: Medium

Nitrogen Fixation: None

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: No

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: No

Salinity Tolerance: None

CaCO3 Tolerance: High

pH Range: 6.0-8.0

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 268,500

Seeding Rate:  PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall

Days to Germination: