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mushrooms foraging guide Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 925 Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 926 Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 927 Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 928 Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 929 Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) 930

Edibility

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.

Season

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
            

Frequency

Very Common

Description

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.