Photographs: the Gearagh, Co. Cork

Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum Cuirín Family: Grossulariaceae Flowering: March-April. Deciduous shrub. Introduced. Drooping racemes of pink flowers are followed by bunches of small, inedible blue-black fruit. The more/less hairless, 3-5 lobed leaves have glands which produce a 'tom-cat' smell when crushed. Height 1-2m. A widespread garden escape on hedgebanks, roadsides and in woods. Similar: Black Currant and Red Currant are also garden escapes.

Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum, Cuirín