Plant Details

Ribes odoratum, syn. ribes aureum

Buffalo Currant

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Ribes odoratum, syn. ribes aureum.

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Common names

5 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Buffalo Currant
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Buffelkrent
  • Crandallbes
  • Gele ribes
French
  • Groseillier odorant
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Ribes odoratum, syn. ribes aureum
Taxonomic placement (Kew): Ribes aureum var. villosum DC. View name reference ↗

Kew places Ribes odoratum H.L.Wendl. within this variety. The broader Ribes aureum name also covers other golden-currant varieties; this profile retains the odoratum identity.

Sources [2] [3]
Botanical family: Grossulariaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Ribes (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Buffalo Currant

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Flowers, Condiment, Tea
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Fragrant

Description

Fruits can be eaten raw or cooked. The quality can vary from plant to plant, but the best varieties are sweet and flavorful. The fruits ripen from the end of July until the beginning of autumn and can remain on the bush. They can also be dried for use in the winter. The fruits have a diameter of about 10 mm, although some selected varieties may be larger. The flowers can be eaten raw and have a sweet taste. The leaves can be used for making tea or as a flavoring in food.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/07
Harvest ends: 15/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 556306; name ID 2426003; Ribes L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Ribes aureum var. villosum DC.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Name heading and taxonomic status; Kew places Ribes odoratum H.L.Wendl. within this variety. The broader Ribes aureum name in the catalogue does not authorize photographs of other golden-currant varieties.

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Ribes odoratum H.L.Wendl.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. Kew places Ribes odoratum H.L.Wendl. within this variety. The broader Ribes aureum name in the catalogue does not authorize photographs of other golden-currant varieties.

    Source checked on .