Prunellier

Prunellier or Prunus spinosa L. is a bushy, thorny shrub that usually grows on sunny terrain and hillsides. Very popular in hedges, it gives sweet edible fruits. The latter take the form of small blue-violet berries, covered with a fine pruin and a diameter of about 1 to 1.5 cm. Blackish in colour, the prunellier's stem has short branches that end with a sharp sting. Its leaves are slightly toothed and only appear entirely after flowering. Insulated, the flowers are white and have 5 petals.