Flowering Red Currant
Hul’q’umi’num: sqwuliius
Latin: Rubus sanguineum
Description: Sqwuliius is a 1 to 3 metre tall shrub with reddish-brown bark that is finely hairy when young. Its 5-lobed leaves measure 2–6 cm across, alternate along the stem, and feature pale, hairy undersides. The flowers—ranging from white to rose pink or deep red—hang in upright or slightly drooping clusters of 10 to 20. The shrub produces round, blue-black waxy berries, 7–9 mm long.
Harvest and Sustainability: This shrub are found on the edge of Garry Oak meadows, dry open woods, rocky slopes and disturbed sites.
The berries are harvested mid-summer.
Flowering Red Currant is a popular food source for hummingbirds.
Uses: The berries are edible, but has a mild flavour. It is commonly eaten fresh, but sometimes dried for tea.
