aka Prickly Currant, Bristly Black Gooseberry, Swamp Currant. A small shrub standing erect or spreading from 1.5′ – 6′ (0.5 – 2 m) with stems covered with small golden prickles. Leaves are basically maple-leaf shaped with five deeply indented lobes. Like many of the prickly bushes the beauty of the flowers (about 3/8″), clustered in drooping racemes, can be easily overlooked. The berries are purple-black and slightly hairy. Usually found in moist woods and along streambanks but also on ridges (the case here) to 5000′ elevation.