Native Currant – Acrotriche depressa

Acrotriche depressa (native currant)

Acrotriche depressa, commonly known as the Native Currant or sometimes Ground Berries, is a small evergreen Australian native plant valued for its delicate foliage and edible dark berries.

It is a low-growing shrub or groundcover species, typically found in shaded woodland environments. Native to South Australia and parts of Victoria, it is considered rare in cultivation and is regarded as endangered in parts of its natural range.

The plant produces small, pale green flowers followed by berries that ripen from green through red to a deep purple-black when mature. The berries are reported to be edible when fully ripe, although knowledge of their use as bush tucker is limited.

Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Botanical Name	Acrotriche depressa
Common Name	Native Currant
Plant Type	Low-growing native shrub / groundcover
Height	Up to 80cm
Spread	Around 0.7m
Growth Habit	Spreading, low woodland understory plant
Position	Part shade to light shade
Soil	Well-drained, sandy to loamy soils
Water Needs	Low to moderate once established
Foliage	Mid to deep green evergreen leaves
Flowers	Small pale green flowers
Fruit	Dark purple-black edible berries (when ripe)

Growing Conditions

Native Currant naturally occurs in sheltered woodland and forest understory environments.

It prefers:

• Part shade to light shade
• Well-drained sandy or loamy soils
• Sheltered positions protected from harsh sun

It is not typically suited to hot, exposed garden sites and performs best in naturalistic or native understory plantings.

Care

Acrotriche depressa is a low-maintenance plant once established, though it is rarely cultivated.

Key care points:

• Maintain lightly moist but well-drained soil during establishment
• Avoid heavy fertilising
• Mulch lightly to retain soil moisture and mimic natural woodland conditions
• Protect from extended dry exposure in hot climates

Edible Uses (Bushfood Notes)

The berries of Native Currant are traditionally regarded as edible when fully ripe and dark purple in colour.

Important notes:

• Always correctly identify the plant before consuming any bushfood species
• Only fully ripe berries should be considered
• Knowledge of nutritional value is limited
• Not widely developed for commercial food production

As with all bush foods, confirmation from reliable local or ethnobotanical sources is recommended before consumption.

Ecological Value

In its natural habitat, Acrotriche depressa plays a role in the native understory layer.

It:

• Provides ground-level habitat cover
• Supports small insects and pollinators
• Contributes to biodiversity in woodland ecosystems

Propagation and Availability

This is a difficult species to source and grow commercially.

• Rarely available in mainstream nurseries
• Sometimes available through specialist native plant growers
• Seed is occasionally offered through niche seed suppliers
• Germination and establishment can be variable

Due to its rarity, it is more commonly grown by native plant enthusiasts and conservation gardeners.

Conservation Notes

In some regions, Native Currant is considered uncommon or threatened in the wild, highlighting the importance of habitat protection and careful sourcing of plant material.

Difficult to find?

At the time of publication plants are not widely offered for sale however may be found in some specialist Australian Native Plant nurseries.

WHERE TO BUY

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