Blackthorn or Sloe

Prunus spinosa

Height up to 5m. Deciduous. Rounded crown, suckers readily, forming scrub. Twigs have sharp thorns. Bark is black and rough. Leaves are dull yellow-green, elliptic, 2-4.5 x 1.2-2cm.

What habitats does it normally live in?

Native to Britain and Europe, except extreme north. A shrub of hedgerows and copse.

How does it reproduce or breed?

White flowers appear in March to April, on the previous year's growth, before the leaves emerge. Fruit is globe-shaped, dark blue to nearly black, with a fleshy outer covering concealing a large stone 1.2cm. The berry is eaten by birds and is also picked to flavour gin.

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