blackthorn

• Nom désignant un arbuste épineux eurasien à fruits ressemblant à des prunes, ou une aubépine américaine dressée, presque sans épines, à baies légèrement piriformes.

A noun referring to a thorny Eurasian bush with plumlike fruits, or an erect, almost thornless American hawthorn with somewhat pear-shaped berries.

1. Thorny Eurasian shrubC1formal

   A thorny bush native to Eurasia, known for its dark bark and small, plum-like fruits called sloes.

   Prunellier

   • The blackthorn hedge was nearly impenetrable due to its sharp thorns.
   • Sloe gin is traditionally made from the fruits of the blackthorn bush.
   • Blackthorn flowers appear in early spring before the leaves emerge.

   Synonymessloe

2. American hawthornC1formalamerican

   An erect, almost thornless hawthorn tree native to North America, producing somewhat pear-shaped berries.

   Aubépine d'Amérique

   • The blackthorn tree in the backyard produced small, pear-shaped berries.
   • Unlike its Eurasian namesake, the American blackthorn has very few thorns.
   • Birds are attracted to the berries of the American blackthorn in autumn.