The two faces of Blackthorns

I always think that Blackthorn sounds like it might be the sort of creepy, impenetrable vine which surrounds Sleeping Beauty’s castle during her slumber? In the winter, its black branches and long sharp thorns certainly look a little scary, but how beautiful do the sprays of white spring flowers look against that dark background?

Blackthorn or Prunus Spinosa seems to have a bit of a split personality - to start with, it is hermaphrodite - both male and female parts are found on its flowers.  Its spiky exterior may look threatening, but it actually provides a protective haven and food for numerous animals, and its early flowers are a welcome source of pollen for bees and butterflies in spring. Even more worryingly, some of it is actually toxic - prussic acid is found in the seeds of the fruit, the bark and its leaves.  It is a cyanogenic glycoside, which turns to hydrogen cyanide when exposed to our saliva, but this spooky little bush gives us two wonderful gifts....

The pretty white flowers are edible, and actually fantastic for digestion and stomach upsets, and by the autumn, these flowers will have turned in to beautiful blue slow berries!

Blackthorn flowers will help remove toxins and stimulate the appetite.  They can be drunk as an infusion for cystitis, skin problems, catarrh and stomach cramps.  Fresh sloe berries contain vitamins C and E, potassium, calcium and magnesium, they are high in antioxidants, phenols, flavonoids and essential fatty acids.  Infuse with brown sugar in gin for some delicious sloe gin, or make in to a yummy hedgerow jam to take advantage of all of their goodness.

NB much care must be taken when wild foraging.  Blackthorn flowers should be used in moderation and never when pregnant or breastfeeding.