Blackthorn

Origin: native

Type: deciduous

Height: up to 7 m high

Winter buds: reddish brown, small, egg-shaped. Found on the spines and on the stem.

Leaves: oval with a blunt or pointed tip, young leaves are downy.

Flowers: male and female 5 petal white flowers before first leaf.

Fruit: small plum-like dark blue or black fruit (sloes).

Distribution: hedgerows and woodland.