Hortiforum

General Info – Native Currant, Wild Currant, Currantwood 

The Wild or Native Currant is a great choice for tropical to subtropical gardens, offering both ornamental beauty and a tasty bush tucker. When slightly unripe, the bright red berries have a tart, Cranberry-like flavour. As they ripen fully, they turn dark red or purple and develop a pleasant sweetness, making them a delicious treat. Native Currants grow in ornamental clusters, resembling long Grape-like bunches that hang from the tree. The fruit closely resembles either Red or Black Currants, depending on its stage of ripeness. As the fruit ripens unevenly, the harvest is prolonged, excellent for those who enjoy fruit fresh but challenging for gardeners hoping to produce a large, uniform crop for jams and syrups. However, Native Currants freeze well, making them easy to store. The fruit is perfect for fresh eating, offering a sweet and tart flavour, or for making jams, jellies, sauces, and syrups. Native Currant is a member of the Antidesma genus, along with Bignay and Herbert River Cherry, and belongs to the Phyllanthaceae family, which also includes fruits such as Amla, Star Gooseberry, Burmese Grape, and Rambai.
Native to tropical North Queensland, the Native Currant thrives in a frost-free, tropical to subtropical climate. However, once mature, it can tolerate light frosts. In cooler climates, it is unlikely to fruit as prolifically as it does in tropical areas. The plant is tolerant of some wind exposure and requires minimal care once established. Native Currants are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. While both are typically needed for pollination and fruit set, female Native Currants are known to set fruit on their own. However, harvests will be significantly larger and more reliable with the presence of a male pollinator.
With their glossy, dark green leaves and compact form, Native Currants make an attractive ornamental specimen. The largest plants typically remain under 5m tall, with most growing between 2-4m. Native Currants are well-suited for forming hedges and can also be grown in large pots. The creamy springtime flowers attract butterflies, while the berries draw in wildlife such as birds, possums, and bats.

Plant Profile/Properties