Prunus spinosa L.
Geographic distribution: European-Caucasian species, common in most of the national territory. Wide distribution gaps are found in those agricultural areas where the elimination of hedges interspersed with crops has been more massive.
Plant description: shrub up to 2-3 m tall. Twisted stem, very branchy.
Bark (peel) gray-brown or blackish, glossy. Young branches, pubic and pubescent, thorny due to the degeneration of short lateral branches. Simple leaves, alternate, with ovate-elliptical lamina (1.5-2 x 3-5 cm), acute, with finely toothed margin, glabrous above and hairy below (at least along the main ribs). Mostly solitary, very numerous, white corolla flowers, born before the leaves are released. Globose fruit (drupe) (1-1.5 cm), blue-blackish, covered by a light blue-waxy maturation, briefly pedunculated (0.5 cm), with a sour pulp, containing a slightly compressed core.
Habitat and ecology: it adapts to any type of soil, provided it is sufficiently drained. Given the exceptional frugality it settles easily even in degraded areas. It is a pre-forest species, very heliophilous, typical of uncultivated open areas, hedges and vegetation of the forest mantle.
Bibliography:
PIGNATTI S. 1982"Flora d'Italia" Edagricole 1982
FERRARI M., MEDICI D., Alberi e arbusti in Italia (Manuale di riconoscimento), Edagricole, Bologna 2001.
Prunus spinosa L.
Legends: present in many popular beliefs of the past,the plant was considered magical and it was imagined that good and evil were housed in its intricate branches. It was believed that it was able to protect against fire, lightning and disease, and it was considered a symbol of purity and immortality.
Curiosity: the blackthorn forms very dense and impenetrable bushes due to the innumerable thorns; this allows many animals, in particular birds, to find safe refuge there. Often in its immediate vicinity there is a mushroom very much sought after by affectionate admirers, the Calocybe gambosa commonly called blackthorn, precisely because of its proximity to this plant.
Bibliography:
https://www.casaegiardino.it/giardinaggio/prugnolo-selvatico-prunus-spinosa.php
Prunus spinosa L.
Use : the wood, with light yellow sapwood and brown heartwood, is hard, resistant and can be polished. Due to its small size, it is used to produce tools, inlays, lathe work, walking sticks, etc. Plum fruits are still used today (although to a lesser extent than in the past) in some countries to produce alcoholic beverages (in England the Sloe gin, in Navarre, Spain, the Patxarán and in Italy the Prunella or the Prospino). In the past, from the bark of the plant a dye used to dye the wool red was extracted.
Properties : all parts of the plant can be used with the permission and suggestions of professionals, doctors, pharmacists, herbalists. The blackthorn contains volatile compounds, essential oils, pectins, gums, resins, organic acids, tannic substances, fructose, flavonoids and vitamin C (in fruits). The blackthorn flowers, are popularly used as laxatives and diuretics. The fruits of the blackthorn, strongly acidulous and astringent. The bark, which contains tannins and bitter substances, is traditionally used as astringent and febrile.
Attention: pharmaceutical indications are for information purposes only, therefore we decline any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes. All parts of the plant must be used with the authorization and suggestions of the doctor.
Bibliography:
BONI U., PATRI G., Scoprire, riconoscere, usare le erbe, Edizione Mondolibri SpA, Milano, 2000.
https://sorgentenatura.it/speciali/prugnolo-vitalita-dalla-natura