Prunus spinosa

Prunus spinosa (also known as blackthorn or sloe) is a species of Prunus native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 5 meters tall, with blackish bark and dense, stiff, spiny branches. The leaves are oval, 2–4.5 centimeters long and 1.2–2 centimeters broad. The flowers are 1.5 centimeters diameter, with five creamy-white petals; they are produced shortly before the leaves in early spring, and are hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. The fruit, called a "sloe", is a drupe 10–12 millimeters in diameter, black with a purple-blue waxy bloom, ripening in autumn, and harvested in October or November for making sloe gin.

Taxonomy

The Prunus spinosa is a member of the Rosaceae family, which includes a large number of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. The genus Prunus also includes the cherry, peach, and plum, among others. The species name 'spinosa' is a Latin term meaning 'thorny' or 'spiny', and refers to the dense, stiff, spiny branches of the plant.

Distribution and habitat

Prunus spinosa is native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa. It is also found in New Zealand and eastern North America as an introduced species. It grows in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, scrub, hedgerows, and on calcareous soils.

Uses

The fruit of the Prunus spinosa is used to make sloe gin, a popular British liqueur. The fruit is also used in jams, jellies, and preserves. The wood of the blackthorn tree is used to make walking sticks and in the manufacture of the Irish shillelagh, a traditional Irish walking stick or cudgel.

Cultivation

Prunus spinosa is a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of soil types and conditions. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is often used in hedgerows and as a windbreak.

See also

• Prunus
• Rosaceae
• Sloe gin