Blackthorn
A small tree that flowers at the end of the winter.
It produces bright white flowers and has sharp thorns.
Because of these thorns the blackthorn is used
for hedging.
At the end of the winter the Blackthorn flowers with bright white
flowers, that are visited by hoverflies (Syrphus ). Bees and wasps are
inactiv as its to cold, but hoverflies take care of there job. With
thanks for the beautiful picture to
David Pollet.
The Blackthorn flowering in Natuurreservaat Mandelhoek
With thanks to Kurt for this and the following photo's.
The Blackthorn bears fruit, called sloe, that looks like
small prunes. They are much too tart to be eaten directly but
can be used to produce sloejam and sloegin.
The flowering starts early in spring, sometimes before the
first leaves appear after a soft winter, but more often
before the first leaves.
Sloe, after a July rain
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