Contrary Shrub of Ignominy.
Prunus spinosa, or blackthorn or sloe, is a plant of ill omen. Maybe it’s the extremely sharp thorns that pose a risk for both animals and humans that bump into them, or maybe because it spreads aggressively, outcompeting native species... blackthorn has the reputation as a villain.
In old England witches pricked people with blackthorn spikes and heretics were burned on blackthorn pyres. In Germany, blackthorn is used as a divining rod instead of hazel and in Irish mythology winter begins when the winter goddess Cailleach strikes the ground with a blackthorn staff.
“Many slones (sloes), Many groans, Many hazel(nuts), Many pits (graves)."
Old Devon Rhyme
But here it is merrily blooming along the trail disguising itself as the also disagreeable buckthorn. In fact, I thought that’s what I had a picture of until a neighbor with a deep abiding hatred of buckthorn pointed out to me the subtle differences. Blackthorn has extremely long, sharp spike, black-purple twigs, and small pointed oval leaves deeply folded in the middle.
Even so, Blackthorn isn’t totally evil - its redeeming qualities include early spring blossoms that serve up nectar for the first butterflies and thrushes, and black summer berries - also known as “sloes” (yep that’s what sloe gin is made of ) for making astringent adult beverages and jellies. If you can brave the thorns, wait for the frost to rupture the berries and cook up some tart yummy treats.
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