Sloe bush ??

[grahama]

Hi,

found this bush on my dog walk and was thinking it was a sloe bush. Would I be correct as I fancy some sloe gin this Xmas !!!







Thanks,

Graham

[pdblake]

Those look like sloes to me

It's not a sloe bush though, it's a blackthorn bush (iirc)

[Jeanied]

I can't see from your picture, but the blackthorn has some quite vicious thorns - which should help to identify it. Certainly looks like sloes to me but it is a bit early still to pick them.

[rustylady]

Deffo sloes. You can see the thorns in the first picture. I'm with Jeanie in that it is a bit early to pick, but you will need to weigh up whether the birds or other people will get there first.

[gojiberry]

I'm going to stick my neck on the block and say I don't think it is a sloe bush. Several thing lead me to this conclusion 1st sloes tend to be round and those fruit are elongated, 2nd not enough vicious thorns, 3rd to much foliage. One sure way to tell, bite a fruit and if your two cheeks meet in the middle of your mouth then yes it is a sloe. LOL

Ian

[gojiberry]

Just been on another thread with picture similar to your plant and the opinion was they are probably bullaces. Which will be sour but not as sour as sloes. And apparently very good for jam making.

Ian

[Glutton4...]

Sloes! Definitely.

Bullace are yellow/green, blushing pink when ripe.

[Jeanied]

Agreed that green / yellow bullaces are as you describe - but purple ones are a different story G4!

[Glutton4...]

Agreed that green / yellow bullaces are as you describe - but purple ones are a different story G4!

Purple Bullaces!? Bummocks!

[Flummery]

Bullaces are just like sloes but bigger - and can be purple not just green/yellow. They are also known as wild damson. Bullace Brandy is pretty good but you can use them in gin too. I think they are bullaces.

[Nicos]

The sloe bush in the hedge opposite my house has slightly rounder fruit- and the leaves are smaller.

[ladylottie]

Bullaces are just like sloes but bigger - and can be purple not just green/yellow. They are also known as wild damson. Bullace Brandy is pretty good but you can use them in gin too. I think they are bullaces.

I agree - I think they are bullaces too. Lucky you for finding them!

[grahama]

Hi,

they are all over the place where I live, as long as they are edible I will be jam making and gin making !!

Will look up bullaces to make my mind up

Graham

[Two_Sheds]

We went foraging today, and brought back sloes & bullaces. Seen next to each other the differences are obvious

- sloes smaller than bullace
- sloe (blackthorn) leaves are smaller, thinner
- sloe (blackthorn) has vicious thorns, bullace doesn't

We also noticed that the thorns on the blackthorn are on the older wood, not always on the fruiting branches

Sloes on left, bullace on right (I forgot to pick a bullace leaf)