Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Edibility:Edible

Eating notes: Whilst being a stone-fruit related to plums, Sloes are too sour to be eaten raw. They are often used to make a fruit liqueur called Sloe Gin. Sloes can also be made into a sour/sweet jam that can be used like marmalade.

A common plant of woodland edges and damp scrub. It is also widely planted in hedgerows and parks.

Height: 2-5m

Leaves: Oval leaves 3-4cm long with finely toothed edges. Smooth above slightly downy below.

Flowers: White 5-peltalled flowers, 1.5cm across.

Stems: Sloes grow as large untidy looking bushes. The bark in dark brown. The branches hold numerous long sharp thorns.

Fruit: Grape-sized blue-black oval fruits with a noticeable bloom.