They grow on shrubs with leaves that look like maple leaves, with anywhere from 3 to 5 points, with the leaves being 1 ½ inches (3 cm) to 4 inches (10 cm) wide.
The bush grows anywhere from 1 ½ to 6 ½ feet (½ to 2 metres) tall, with no prickles on the bush. But the branches have yellow resinous dots on them which give off an unpleasant “tomcat” smell.
The bush flowers by early June, and produces berries in clusters of 6 to 12 by early August.
History Notes
Hudson Bay currants are native to western North America, from southern British Columbia down into northern California and over to Wyoming.
They were eaten by some native North Americans, and by wildlife such as bears.