Wild Red Currants in the Berkshires: Native or Escaped?

Wild Red Currants in the Berkshires: Native or Escaped?

A hiker found stunted, less flavorful red currants on an Audubon reservation in Lenox, MA, and wondered if they were truly wild or planted.

Native Possibility

Ribes triste (swamp red currant) is native to northern regions and higher elevations. The Berkshires' elevation could support it.

Alternative Explanations

• Former homestead: Birds or mammals may have spread seeds from cultivated plants.
• Competition and low nutrients: Wild plants often produce smaller, tarter fruit due to crowding and lack of fertilizer.

How to Tell

Check for old foundations, stone walls, or non-native plants nearby. If the site was never cultivated, it's likely the native Ribes triste.