Native Currant (Acrotriche depressa)

Common names: Native Currant, Wiry Ground Berry

Taxonomic name: Acrotriche depressa

Family: Ericaceae

Habitat: Woodlands

Form: Low shrub

Flowering Time: Spring

Kaurna name: Pakiyaka

Description and uses:

Out local ‘Native Currant’ is Acrotriche depressa.

This low, wiry bush that grows to about 80 cm is full of surprises. It doesn’t look like much, even when flowering because the light green flowers hang below the branches just above the ground.

Getting down on the ground, at the right time of year, will reward you with a view of round, brown/red berries in amongst the flowers. The berries redden and soften as they ripen. It’s easier to get them when they’re still a little brown and quite firm.

These berries can be tricky to get to without being stabbed. There are no spines on the bush – it is the leaves that are hard and sharp. Not overly painfully sharp but disconcerting for the novice gatherer.

This is one easy way to make sure you have the right plant – grab hold of a branch firmly and when you take your hand away there could be one or a number of tiny leaves stuck in the skin!

One of the bush’s hidden gems, Acrotriche depressa berries are a little sharp to the taste while brown, sweetening a little as they turn redder. This sharpness makes for a very pleasant tasting jam.

Berries contain a small amount of Vitamin C and possibly other antioxidants.

At this time of year (August), the berries are abundant and easy to find once you know the plant. The leaves are the most distinguishing features when the plant isn’t flowering – they’re sharp little buggers!

There is another plant called ‘Native Currant’, dealt with in this blog, it is better known as Coast Bearded Heath

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