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Do redcurrants grow wild, and if so, does anyone have any tips for verifying that they ARE redcurrants, and not something hideously poisonous?

I found these today (photographed with elderberries so you get a sense of scale). The leaves look the right shape, but the berries don't seem to be as translucent as cultivated ones are, which makes me wonder if they are redcurrants after all.

Anyone care to hazard a guess?

Hi
Pretty sure they aren't redcurrants. They don't hang the right way. Not sure what they are but I expect someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

Zoe

They're definately NOT redcurrants.

Did the bush have long sharp spines on it?

Viky

It's a Guelder Rose. Here's a pic

Apparently they are edible if cooked (and are high in Vit C, but have a taste of cough medicine about them)....http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/wfs/wfsberries.htm

I had the EXACT same 'is it a wild redcurrant? Oh crap, it's a guelder rose' experience a few weeks ago. I thought it was too good to be true, so I Googled it, and it was. *sigh*

You could always make wine with them. The taste improves with time apparently.

Not something to eat in a large quantity and never eat when unripe. I made a nice sauce with it once, it's okay but I'd rather eat hawthorn berries/hawes at this time of year. It is a really good wildlife tree, there was one outside a window I used to find myself gazing out of and I used to watch birds picking off the fruit all winter. Here's some more info http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/ancie ... der%20Rose