Blackthorn
Prickly shrub surname
Blackthorn is a thorny shrub native to Europe and western Asia, bearing white flowers in early spring and small dark-blue fruits called sloes.
The dense, dark wood has traditionally been used for walking sticks and shillelaghs.
The blackthorn hedge made an impenetrable boundary.
The related term blackthorn winter refers to a late cold snap when the shrub blooms.
Astringent wild drupe
- hedgerowLinear shrub boundary
- spinesStiff, pointed projections
- drupesSeed-containing pit fruits
- deciduousSheds foliage seasonally
shrub · bark · thicket · hedging · native · wild plum · suckers · dense
Berry-infused spirit
- infusionSteeping to extract essence
- liqueurSweetened flavored spirit
- jamCooked fruit spread
- jellyFruit spread, no seeds
preserves · foraging · harvest · frost · sweetening · steeping · bitter · astringent
Mythical small spirit
- CelticOf Irish-Welsh descent
- Irish mythologyTraditional tales of Ireland
- wardingDefending against approach
- protectionGuarding against harm
dark magic · witchcraft · Samhain · unlucky · cursed · supernatural · druids · enchantment
Irish wooden club-cane
- walking stickHandheld support for ambulation
- carvedCut to create form
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- hardwoodDense deciduous timber
durable · club · weapon · handle · traditional · handcrafted · weighted · knotted
sloe
Astringent wild drupe
deciduous · shrub · bark · thicket · hedging · native · wild plum · suckers · dense · impenetrable
sloe gin
Berry-infused spirit
jelly · preserves · foraging · harvest · frost · sweetening · steeping · bitter · astringent · winemaking
faerie
Mythical small spirit
- CelticOf Irish-Welsh descent
- Irish mythologyTraditional tales of Ireland
- wardingDefending against approach
protection · dark magic · witchcraft · Samhain · unlucky · cursed · supernatural · druids · enchantment · spirit world
shillelagh
Irish wooden club-cane
- walking stickHandheld support for ambulation
- carvedCut to create form
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
hardwood · durable · club · weapon · handle · traditional · handcrafted · weighted · knotted · grip
Blackthornwillow
Narrow-leaved waterside tree
pussy willow · weeping willow · lamb's ear · magnolia · cherry blossom
Blackthornwhitethorn
Thorny pale-spined shrub
hawthorn · white willow · silver birch · white poplar · white oak
Blackthornhawthorn
Thorny berry-bearing shrub
whitethorn · rowan · elder · apple tree · cherry tree