Blackthorn - Prunus Spinosa?

chrishorak · #1 (**permalink**) 27-03-2009, 04:59 PM

These flowers are out all over. I think they are Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa), but I would appreciate if anyone can confirm.

Thanks
Chris

Lancashire Lad · #2 (**permalink**) 27-03-2009, 05:07 PM

Hi Chris, Certainly looks like it to me.

Regards
Mike.

chrishorak · #3 (**permalink**) 27-03-2009, 05:12 PM

Thanks Mike

Tiggrx · #4 (**permalink**) 27-03-2009, 05:14 PM

Yes, Blackthorn. There is also a lot of Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) blossom about at the moment which can be confused with Blackthorn

KeenTeen17 · #5 (**permalink**) 27-03-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Yes, Blackthorn. There is also a lot of Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) blossom about at the moment which can be confused with Blackthorn

hawthorn makes things confusing as well. and theres also Prunus domestica

Hobjob · #6 (**permalink**) 28-03-2009, 04:48 PM

But one of the photos shows a blooming great spine (well the spine
is not blooming, but you get my drift!) which stongly suggests
p. spinosa

ellen h · #7 (**permalink**) 28-03-2009, 04:51 PM

I was taught that blackthorn always blossoms before the hawthorn,seems to apply here but dont know if its a golden rule as such

ellen

chrishorak · #8 (**permalink**) 28-03-2009, 09:41 PM

Thanks all. I always thought that Blackthorn gets flowers before the leaves and Hawthorn gets the leaves before the flowers - but not sure if that is correct...

Hornbeam · #9 (**permalink**) 30-03-2009, 08:48 PM

That is correct, chrishorak. In my local hedgerows the blackthorn flowers are just about to open. The hawthorn leaves are half open but no sign of flower buds yet. Lots of plum now with pear gone over. Last white in the hedgerow will be the elder

MRS BUFFY · #10 (**permalink**) 17-04-2009, 04:41 PM

Hi there, i'm sort of new to all this. I was given some sloes the year before last and made lovley sloe Gin. Unfortunately last year when i went out looking, i could not find any.
I have been told to start looking now (and have been for the last 4 weeks) for the blossom of the Blackthorn. I have found what i believe to be Blackthorn (long nasty lovely thorns!!) but i have also found larger, taller trees with what looks to be the same blossom, no thorns and the blossom appears to be in tighter bunch formation. Can anyone offer any ideas? Sorry no pictures as they are all too tall. Also, will the fruit of this tree be usable?

Thanks.

LynM · #11 (**permalink**) 17-04-2009, 05:54 PM

It is a wonderful year for Blackthorn blossom, it looks as though the trees are covered in snow in places around here. We have to hope that there is not a late frost which kills the blossom before the fruits have a chance to set.

Yes, they do have nasty long thorns which have to be avoided when you pick the sloes in the autumn. Originally the thorns were used to prick the sloes before adding them to the gin, but these days a small stainless steel spike of some sort is a better option....trust me!

Last year was generally a poor one for sloes, I wasn't able to find any within a reasonable distance of home and was glad that I had frozen some from the previous year's good crop. That was you also don't need to prick them as the freezing softens the skins for you.

Not sure what your larger tree is MrsBuffy, but probably not Blackthorn.

BTW....don't try eating the sloes when they do appear, they are incredibly bitter!

MRS BUFFY · #12 (**permalink**) 19-04-2009, 12:14 PM

Thanks for that LynM. I totally agree, the trees look wonderful, i only get 1/2 an hour for lunch and work in the middle of no-where, so for me its a little ray of sunshine being able to walk around them and watch the blossom fall.