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Trees
Blackthorn
(Prunus spinosa)
Summary
| Order | Family | Genus | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosales
(Rosales) |
Rose Family
(Rosaceae) |
Prunus
(Prunus) |
Blackthorn
(spinosa) |
Overview
Blackthorn or sloe is part of the rose family and so is not strictly a tree. The rose family is vast and so I have separated certain species to list on their own. The family includes a lot of genre that grow edible fruit.
Distributed throughout England, Ireland and Wales. It grows less so in Scotland. It is native to Europe, West Asia, and in Northwest Africa (but not to as greater an extent).
The fruits of blackthorn, known as sloes, are edible. There can be eaten or all used to make food and drinks.
Bushcraft
Very widespread, a good source of food if in season and firewood all year round.
Click below for more information of individual species at Plants For A Future website (PFAF.org)
General Info
| Description | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Deciduous | |
| Edible | Yes | Fruit (See below.) |
| Uses | Med | See below. |
| Burnability | Very good | High heat output |
| Hardness Rating | Unknown | Rough scale of hardness from 0 - 100
(Zero being the softest wood and one hundred being the hardest) |
Gallery and Identification
Features common to majority of species:
Size - Up to 6m Tall
Bark - dark brown/black-brown. Often has lichen growing on it which is green or white in colour.
Leaves - close on a short stems from the branch. Elliptic, slender, serrated leaves. Upper surface dull green whilst the lower surface is hairy along the veins.
Reproductive Parts - small white flowers with 5 petals growing in isolation. They opened before the leaves and can cover the whole tree when in bloom. They produce fruit or to 1.5 cm long; these are known as sloes.
Distribution - found throughout England and Ireland, less so in Scotland. Found throughout Europe, West Asia, and less so in Northwest Africa.
Surroundings - often found a part of hedgerows this is a dense shrub.
Resources
Firewood
Food
Fruits (sloes)