Blackthorn (prunus spinosa)




It can reach a height of 4 metres.
The flowers are white, with round blue fruits. The leaves are obovate, alternate with a serrated margin.
Blossoming generally takes place between March and April, whereas the maturation of the fruits is between September and October.
It is a spiny and spontaneous growing plant and grows along the edges of woods and paths.
The fruits of the blackthorn are used in some countries to produce alcoholic drinks.
The bark of the plant was used in the past to dye wool red.
As a herbal medicine, blackthorn is used as a laxative, diuretic and blood cleanser. The active ingredients contained in the flowers are coumarin, flavone and glycosides of hydrogen cyanide. The fruits contain vitamin C, tannins and organic acids.
The wood, like that of most fruit trees, is a valued fuel.