Shillelagh (club) Shillelagh (club) A shillelagh ( or ; , "thonged willow") or blackthorn stick is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top. It is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore. Shillelaghs are traditionally made from blackthorn (sloe) wood ("Prunus spinosa") or oak. Wood from the root was prized as it was less prone to crack or break during use. The wood would be smeared with butter or lard, and placed up a chimney to cure, giving the shillelagh its typical black shiny appearance. Another method was
Prunus serrulata of the world. Numerous cultivars have been selected, many of them with double flowers with the stamens replaced by additional petals. In cultivation in Europe and North America, it is usually grafted on to "Prunus avium" roots; the cultivated forms rarely bear fruit. It is viewed as part of the Japanese custom of Hanami. There are several varieties: Some important cultivars include: Prunus serrulata Prunus serrulata or Japanese cherry, also called hill cherry, oriental cherry or East Asian cherry, is a species of cherry native to China, Japan, Korea and India, and is used for its spring cherry blossom displays