Plum, Sloe, Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A large shrub. It can grow to a small tree. It is often only 4 m high. It develops suckers. It loses its leaves during the winter. It is thorny. The leaves are small and alternate. They are dull above and hairy underneath. Flowers have 5 petals and red tipped anthers. The flowers are white. They appear before the leaves. The fruit are blue-black. They are berry sized.
There are about 200 Prunus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on the edges of scrub woodland and in hedges. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are astringent. They are less astringent after frost. They are also used for jellies, jam and wine and used to flavour gin. The fruit are boiled with water for juice. The unripe fruit are also pickled. The ripe fruit are pickled with onions or garlic. They are also dried. The leaves are used to adulterate tea. The flowers are edible and can be crystallised.
The fruit are especially eaten by children. They are supplied to restaurants. They are used to make jellies. They are sold in local markets. It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds
How it is grown
Plants spread by suckers. Plants can be grown by seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Abrunheiro, Andrina, Belosai, Berqouq el ouach, Cakal erigi, Ci li, črni trn, Ciruelicas de gato, Crn trn, Deli erik, Domuz erigi, Endrino, Epine moire, Erik, Hei ci li, K'vranchkhi, Marnkheni, Palline bocche, Porumbar, Prignole, Prugnolo, Prunellier, Prunello, Schlehdorn, Schwarzdorn, Shalor, Slapetorn, Strozzapreti, Teren, Tranka, Trnina, Trninka, Trnky, Tsyoren, Uva booca