Bristly Black Currant vs Seaside Arrowgrass - TreeTime.ca

Bristly Black Currant vs Seaside Arrowgrass

Ribes lacustre

Triglochin maritima

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Bristly Black Currant
Seaside Arrowgrass

Bristly Black Currant is a native deciduous shrub that grows in moist forests, swamps, and riparian areas. In summer, it produces clusters of dark purple to black berries that provide food for wildlife, while its reddish-purple flowers attract pollinators. The berries are technically edible and enjoyed by some, but many find them unpleasant and bitter.

Thriving in moist soils and shaded locations, Bristly Black Currant helps stabilize soil and supports diverse habitats. It is valuable for conservation plantings, wetland restoration, riparian buffers, and naturalization projects.

Note: When crushed, the berries are known to release an offensive odour.

Seaside Arrowgrass is a native perennial commonly found in wetlands, salt marshes, and moist meadows. It is especially suitable for difficult growing sites. Its dense root system helps stabilize soil, while also providing food, cover, and habitat for small animals within the wetland community.

Seaside Arrowgrass is suitable for shoreline stabilization, wetland restoration, and naturalization projects.

Bristly Black Currant Quick Facts

Seaside Arrowgrass Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1b
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: upright to spreading, thicket-forming
Growth form: upright, clump-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Spreading: rhizomes-low, seeds-low
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: prickles may cause an allergic reaction

Toxicity: can be toxic to humans and livestock
Bark: reddish brown with prickles
Flowers: small maroon-green clusters
Flowers: very small, pinkish-white, hair like
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Berries: dark purple with hairs, edible
Flavor: tart, unpleasant
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: black gooseberry, black swamp gooseberry, bristly black gooseberry, bristly currant, bristly swamp currant, prickly currant
Other Names: common arrowgrass, common bog arrowgrass, shore arrowgrass