How to Identify Black Currant Berries

Observe the plant growth pattern. Currants are annual shrubs that bloom in the spring. They are also deciduous, meaning that they shed growth at the season's end. Usually about 5 feet high and equally wide, black currants grow fast in their optimal habitat.

Examine the foliage. The leaves have a light green color and a shape similar to that of a maple leaf. Highly sensitive to sunlight, they can burn easily. Black currant leaves will shrink under undesirable water conditions.

Inspect the flowers. Buds appear with each new growth in the beginning of spring. Each bud can open up to 20 blush pink flowers. The flowers are joined by unique stems called strigs, which droop up to 6 inches and support the plant, giving it an overall lacy appearance. Black currant plants usually attract a host of honeybees, hoverflies and other insects.

Look at the fruit. Fruits will ripen approximately 70 days after the flower blossoms and will hang off the set strigs. Usually ripening from the top down, black currants mature to a brown-purple hue. Each berry contains anywhere form three to 12 hard seeds.