A-Z of Services

Blackthorn

Name	Prunus spinosa
Also known as	for fruit - Sloes, Slones, Bullums.
	Scrub, woodland edges, planted as hedging.
	shrub
	The blackthorn provides the fruit for the traditional home made drink sloe gin. The wood is tough and in Ireland is the wood of choice for a shillelagh. It is also a thorny bush so is ideal for stock proof hedges. You will need a proper hedging glove if you want to lay a blackthorn hedge. There is often a cold snap in Spring when the blackthorn flowers known as the Blackthorn Winter.
	Culpeper recommended "the distilled water of the flowers is a most certaine remedy, tried and approved, to ease all manner of gnawings in the stomach, the sides and bowels."
	up to 5m (15ft)
	March - April
	its white flowers in the bare hedgerows, its blue black berries in autumn and its dark thorny branches.

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Key

	Habitat

	Plant Type

	Traditions & Culture

	Medicinal Qualities

	Size

	Flowering Season

	Distinguishing Features

	Poisonous

	Native or Foreign

	Please do not pick, collect or disturb this plant