Common name:
Blackthorn
Family:
Scientific name:
Prunus spinosa
Main flower color:
Range:
All of the UK, except the Scottish Highlands
Height:
Up to 5 m
Habitat:
Woodland and hedgerows, especially in coastal areas
Flowers:
Up to 25 mm in diameter, with five clawed white petals, a cluster of stamens with white filaments and orange anthers, and a single pistil. Produced singly or in pairs, from the (closely-spaced) leaf nodes. Flowers start to bloom before the leaves appear
Leaves:
Ovate, up to 4 cm long, lined by small, irregular teeth, on woody branches that also bear thorns
Season:
March to April
Rarity:
★★★★★
