Wild black currant
Ribes americanum
A shrub of moist woods, thickets and stream margins with lobed leaves and hanging clusters of black berries. Identified ripe fruit is used fresh or in preserves.
Native range
North America, including Ontario. Wild black currant is widely recorded in Toronto-region natural habitats.
Typical season
Approximate summer fruit reference; each shrub's ripe crop lasts less than the full reference window.
Identification
Compare unarmed stems, alternate lobed leaves with yellowish resin dots beneath, hanging flower clusters and black ripe berries. Gooseberries often have nodal spines. Identify the species from several features; berry colour alone is insufficient. Dried 'Zante currants' are grapes.