Pollinator plant

Blackthorn

Prunus spinosa

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Common names

18 names

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

English
Dutch
  • Sleedoorn[3]
  • Zwarte doorn
French
  • Prunellier[3]
  • Épine noire[3]
German
Italian
  • Ciliegio canino[3]
  • Prugno spinoso[3]
  • Prugnolo[3]
  • Strozzapreti[3]
Portuguese
  • Abrunheiro-bravo[3]
Spanish

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • blackthorn — Page 2, column 1, row top 262 pt; common-name cell after Prunus spinosa.; Prunus spinosa.
  • sloe — Page 2, column 1, row top 262 pt; common-name cell after Prunus spinosa.; Prunus spinosa.
[2] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • blackthorn — Page 2, column 2, row top 517 pt; common-name cell after Prunus spinosa.; Prunus spinosa.
  • sloe — Page 2, column 2, row top 517 pt; common-name cell after Prunus spinosa.; Prunus spinosa.
[3] Prunus spinosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Blackthorn — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Sleedoorn — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Prunellier — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Heckendorn — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Sauerpflaume — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Schlehdorn — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Schlehe — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Schlehendorn — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Schwarzdorn — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Sloe — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • endrino — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Épine noire — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Ciliegio canino — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Prugno spinoso — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Prugnolo — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Strozzapreti — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
  • Abrunheiro-bravo — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 55811; Prunus spinosa.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Botanical family
Rosaceae

Genus-level classification for Prunus; this does not confirm the complete catalogue name.

Sources [1]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Prunus spinosa in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [2] [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Fruit tree, Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
3.00 m high × 3.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Fruit, Flowers, Seed
Functions
Cosmetic, Dye, Hedge, Pioneer plant, Timber, Pollinator plant, Carbon farming
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

The fruits of this plant can be eaten either raw or cooked. Normally, they are cooked due to their very sour taste, but once the fruits have been frozen, they lose some of their astringent properties, making it possible for some people to enjoy them raw. These fruits are often used to make jelly, syrups, and other preserves, and are also used as a flavoring for, for example, sloe gin and various liqueurs. In France, unripe fruits are pickled like olives. The fruits are about 15 mm in diameter and contain a large seed, which can be eaten both raw and cooked. However, the seed should not be eaten if it is too bitter, due to possible toxicity. The leaves of this plant are used as a coffee substitute, and the dried fruits can be used to make herbal tea. The edible flowers can be crystallized or sweetened and added to dishes.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Prunus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2451952; ID 6Y6H; rank genus; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 2, entry Prunus spinosa (top 517 pt)

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Prunus spinosa (top 262 pt)

    Source checked on .