The plants are native in comparatively cold climates and are the hardiest of fruits from the standpoint of resistance to cold or changing temperatures. They do not thrive in hot or dry climates. The yellow flowers of R. odoratum are tubular, about one-half inch long, with the calyx tube about twice as long as the sepals. The extremely short stamens arise on the base of the petals and incline slightly toward the style. Apparently, the stigma is receptive about the time pollen becomes available.
Some plants are dioecious.
Apparently, he did not distinguish between the receptivity of the plant to its own pollen and the ability of the flower to fertilize itself without the aid of an outside agency. Wellington et al. Frequently, when currants bloom, there are few native insects to visit the flowers in numbers sufficient to adequately account for the pollination required in the production of a commercial crop. Although information is far from complete on the pollination of currants, it indicates that some cultivars require insect transfer of pollen within the cultivar. Most cultivars are materially benefitted by an adequate supply of pollinating honey bees or related bees, which can cause fruit to set and to be larger.