Friday, 17 May 2013

Prunus spinosa; Blackthorn (Sloe)

I located this Blackthorn in Longford Park lining a garden fence. A rather untidy looking, denssely branched, spiny deciduous tree. Often surrounded by numerous suckers. The branches are spreading, terminating in spiny twigs.


The leaves grow to about 4.5cm long and have about 10cm long petioles. They are oval, pointed at the tip, with toothed margins. The upper surface is smooth and dull green. Lower surface is downy along prominent veins. They have white flowers, mostly solitary, opening before the leaves. The are short stalked with 5 petals about 8mm long.


The bark is silvery brown. 




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