Home Currant Saxifragaceae or Grossulariaceae Ribes sp. 1971 Currants grown in the U.S. are mainly red, with a few white. Black currants are not grown commercially here, but are very important in northern Europe. Currant bushes are small shrubs, up to 4 feet high.
Stems are nearly free of thorns.
Flowers and fruit are produced on racemes, resulting in loose clusters of a dozen or more fruits. Highly flavored pulp surrounds several inconspicuous seeds. Dried petals and parts of pedicle adhere to fruit at harvest. Fruit of several native Ribes species is sometimes gathered for jelly making, but these are not cultivated. No data, estimate 2,500 tons.