It looks like Blackthorn - so , yes, it will have spikes The spikes are often tucked away a bit - in the more mature growth. The outer growth can be quite soft. The sloe berries can be used in gin.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
Oh, I only looked at the surface of the bush that'll be why I didn't see the spikes then. The berries look like smaller versions of my Opal plums. Can I eat them? as they are?
You can use them to make 'sloe gin' but they are bitter and rock hard. If they are softer and sweeter, it could be damson but does look like blackthorn.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
I wouldn't try it! They're very sour and don't always agree with humans. Some people can eat them but they're poisonous. If the bush gets regularly pruned, it may not really be producing the thorns it's famed for, as the constant new growth is fairly soft.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
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The spikes are often tucked away a bit - in the more mature growth. The outer growth can be quite soft. The sloe berries can be used in gin.
If the bush gets regularly pruned, it may not really be producing the thorns it's famed for, as the constant new growth is fairly soft.
Prunus spinosa ...common name Blackthorn ..produces a fruit called sloes.
According to this site the leaves and stones are poisonous...but not the fresh of the berries.
This applies to all Prunus.....Almonds, Apricots etc
Moral..don't eat the stones.
http://www.naturessecretlarder.co.uk/wild-food-useful-plants/blackthorn-sloe-prunus-spinosa.htm