Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Wax currant
K’ínijiłahí

Bright pink, tubular flowers growing downward from a twig. Foliage somewhat crinkled.
Patrick Alexander

Wax currant occurs on dry, open slopes, ridges, rock outcrops, and mountain shrub communities, as well as at forest edges or in coniferous forests with light canopy cover. In addition, it occurs in the Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) community type in the northwestern third of New Mexico. It is found at elevations of 4,950 to 13,200 feet.

Wax currant provides food and cover for wildlife. It is only fair to poor browse for deer, but it is important on ranges where little else is available.

Chickadees and other birds consume the fruit of wax currant. The fruit of wax currant is used for making jam, jelly, or pie. Some western Indian tribes used currants for making pemmican.

Wax currant is cultivated as an ornamental. It grows from 1 1/2 to 5 feet tall. Wax currant reproduces mainly by seed.

Close-up of bright pink tubular flowers with five small sepals (that look like the petals) at the tip. Flower is very slightly fuzzy.
Patrick Alexander
Foliage, which is bright green and slightly crinkly.
Patrick Alexander
A bud and a flower in bloom. These showcase a lighter flower color variation: yellowing with purple highlights toward the tips of the flowers.
Patrick Alexander
Brushy growth habit with many branches and plentiful foliage.
Patrick Alexander
Foliage, which is bright green and slightly crinkly. Stem is reddish.
Patrick Alexander
Bright red, globular, shiny fruits with vestiges of the flowers at the bottoms
Russ Kleinman
Bright red fruits and foliage
Russ Kleinman
A white flower in bloom with buds and foliage
Russ Kleinman
Example of lighter pink flowers beside palmately divided leaves with serrate margins
Russ Kleinman
Example of lighter pink flowers beside palmately divided leaves with serrate margins
Russ Kleinman
Scientific Name
Ribes cereum
Plant Type
Brush
Growing Season
Warm Season
Habitats
  • Ponderosa Pine / Mixed Conifer
  • Brushlands
Flower Color
Red/Pink
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Forage and habitat for small wildlife
For definitions, see the glossary.

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