Are these safe to eat?

[Keith2202]

Hi
I was picking elderberries yesterday when a lady came past and told me where I could get apricots growing wild. I went to where I think she directed me and picked some yellow fruits that looked like the ones she had in her bag. They taste very nice but I think they are plums not apricots, am I correct?




These are growing round here too, they look and taste like plums, so I assume they are and are ok to eat?



These are also growing round here. They aren't sweet is this because they aren't edible or because they are not ripe or because they are supposed to be sour and can be cooked (or brewed?)




Thanks for your help
Keith.

(N.b how do you get better pictures up?)

[binley100]

I'm thinking the first may be greengages, second plums and the third sloes . I'm sure a guru or fruit espert will correct me if I'm wrong.

[purplekat]

I think
Mirabelle plums
Plums
sloes

[selfraising]

The first look like Mirabelle plums to me.

[Angelmouse]

I thought Sloes were a prickly bush type could the third one not be Damsons?

[Scarlet]

I'm going with Purplekat - mirabelle, plums and slows

[mrdinkle]

Bottom ones could be bullaces?

[Scarlet]

I think bullaces are a type of damson/plum?
Have a look at this link - My guess was slows because they are really bitter but this gives a better decription because damsons can be sour too!

The Cottage Smallholder A quick guide to identifying some hedgerow fruit

[Keith2202]

Mirabelle plums seems to be the winner, thanks. I'll carry on getting stuck in!

I don't think the third ones had spikes, and they didn't taste unbearably bitter, so I doubt they are sloes. Looks like they are bullaces. When do I harvest them, do they get sweet?

Cheers all

[Scarlet]

If they are a sour plum I would use them for cooking. My mirabelles have gone over but my damsons aren't ready yet they are still too firm, wait until they soften up a bit

[Flummery]

Bullaces make a great jelly. Better than sloe in my opinion. They also make a fantastic liqueur - like sloe gin but with bullace.
I think the middle ones are cherry plums. Jam, chutney, wine, anything you fancy. I find the skins slip off and the stones come out easily if they've been in the freezer for a week or two.