Sloes?

[VirginVegGrower]

Can anyone tell me if they think this is a sloe? I can't recall it's having thorns which I know would be the deciding factor.

[northepaul]

I wouldnt like to speculate....but if you think its not thorny then it isnt a blackthorn

[zazen999]

If you don't get pricked within 3 sloes, it's not a sloe.

[VirginVegGrower]

Mmmm....might go back and try it out. Damn nuisance is that I have forgotten where all the blackthorn flowers were in Spring

[Two_Sheds]

^ you should've made a google map of them like I did (and no, I'm not sharing )

[VirginVegGrower]

^ you should've made a google map of them like I did (and no, I'm not sharing )

What a damned good idea. Norfolk is a long way to come for sloes. Although could get some crab too...hmmm

[Shadylane]

They look like damsons to me. I've found loads of these recently, in varying sizes. Some of them look like sloes but a bit bigger, the leaves tend to be bigger too, but the taste is very different. Damsons don't make your face contort into something horrible whereas sloes do.

ETA Changed me mind, just zoomed in and I think they're sloes.

[Flummery]

Could even be a bullace - a black wild plum. We have one in the garden grown from seed by a friend. It makes the most marvellous plum brandy!

[bobleponge]

Not that I know anything about anything, but firstly if its not thorny its not a sloe, and secondly I'm going with Flum, I reckon thats a bullace, as I have one in a field not too far from here that I scrump religiously every autumn.

[gazh]

just tried my first sloe and..... if its a sloe u will defo know about it
and TS's idea of a google map has made me realise i have over 15 wild apple trees in my area :-)

[Piggle]

ooh we've got loads of these but I've never been sure what they are ... not brave enough to pick em either and turn them into anything in case I poison everyone.

[VirginVegGrower]

When I went on that foraging trip Alys Fowler speculated on it being a bullace or damson. It's bigger than a sloe having seen and picked some sloes recently.
Am tempted to pick them but when you are unsure of their definitely being an edible, well....

[Shadylane]

Get em picked. I don't think there's anything else they can be(sloes or bullaces I mean). I think there's only deadly nightshade that vaguely resembles them and they don't look that alike to be honest. Break one up in your fingers and you'll be able to tell from the flesh and the stone if it's plum related, but looking at the leaves I'd bet money on them being sloes or bullaces.

[Two_Sheds]

In case you're panicking about belladonna, here's a picture: Atropa belladonna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[VirginVegGrower]

I panic about the unknown as I am still a bit new to some of this stuff. Learning all the time though, thanks to you guys and gals!