Prunus spinosa

(L.) Walt.

Plum, Sloe, Blackthorn

RosaceaeFruitSeeds/NutsScore: 0/100Potential hazards — see below

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What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit, Seeds

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though it is exceedingly astringent and is more commonly cooked. After frosting, it loses some astringency and some people find it palatable raw — fruits eaten in December have been described as fairly pleasant. It is most often made into jellies, syrups, conserves, or used to flavour sloe gin and other liqueurs. In France, the unripe fruit is pickled like an olive. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter and contains one large seed. The seed can also be eaten raw or cooked, but should be avoided if it tastes too bitter. The leaves make a reasonable tea substitute, and dried fruits can be added to herbal teas. The flowers are edible and suitable for crystallising or sugaring.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death. Avoid excessive intake and use recommended doses.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It grows on the edges of scrub woodland and in hedges. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

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,

Countries: Andorra, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Antigua & Barbuda, Albania, Armenia, Angola, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Barbados, Bangladesh, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Burundi, Benin, Brunei, Bahamas, Bhutan, Botswana, Belarus, Belize, Canada, Congo (DRC), Central African Republic, Congo (Republic), Switzerland, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cape Verde, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Djibouti, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Estonia, Egypt, Eritrea, Spain, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, United Kingdom, Grenada, Georgia, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Croatia, Haiti, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Comoros, St Kitts & Nevis, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, St Lucia, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Libya, Morocco, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, Madagascar, North Macedonia, Mali, Myanmar, Mongolia, Mauritania, Malta, Mauritius, Maldives, Malawi, Mexico, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Pakistan, Poland, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sudan, Sweden, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sierra Leone, San Marino, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sao Tome & Principe, El Salvador, Syria, Eswatini, Chad, Togo, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, Taiwan, Tanzania, Ukraine, Uganda, United States, Uzbekistan, St Vincent, Vietnam, Yemen, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How to Identify

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.

Nutrition Score: 0/100

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	196	47	0.8	—	—	—	—	—

How to Grow

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil. Succeeds in all soils except very acid peats. Succeeds in light shade but fruits better in a sunny position. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present. Thrives on chalk according to another report. Plants are very resistant to maritime exposure. An important food plant for the caterpillars of several species of butterfly, especially the larvae of the brown and black hairstreak butterflies. A good bee plant. Plants are shallow-rooted and of a suckering habit, they can form dense impenetrable thickets which are ideal for nesting birds, especially nightingales. Flowers are often damaged by late frosts. Plants regenerate quickly after cutting or after fast moving forest fires, producing suckers from below ground level. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. Harvesting typically occurs in late summer to early autumn, with specific timing varying by species. For instance, plums and peaches are usually harvested from July to September (Northern Hemisphere), while almonds are harvested in August to September (Northern Hemisphere). Prunus species usually flower in early spring, often between March and April (Northern Hemisphere), depending on the species and local climate. Growth rates vary among species, but generally, Prunus trees can grow moderately fast, often reaching full height in 3 to 5 years. However, they may take several years to bear fruit, depending on the species and growing conditions. Some Prunus species (like many plums and almonds) are self-fertile, while others (like sweet cherries and certain apricots) require cross-pollination with another compatible variety for optimal fruit set.

Propagation: Seed requires 2–3 months of cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible and protected from mice. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking 18 months. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, overwinter them in a greenhouse or cold frame, then plant out in late spring or early summer the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel can be taken in July/August in a frame. Softwood cuttings from vigorous plants can be taken in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering can be done in spring. Suckers can be divided and replanted directly into permanent positions during the dormant season.

Medicinal Uses

The flowers, bark, leaves, and fruits are aperient, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative, and stomachic. An infusion of the flowers is used to treat diarrhoea (especially in children), bladder and kidney disorders, and stomach weakness. Like all members of the genus, this species contains amygdalin and prunasin, which break down in water to release hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid). In small amounts, this compound stimulates respiration, aids digestion, and produces a sense of well-being. The German Commission E Monographs approve Prunus spinosa for treating inflammation of the mouth and pharynx.

Other Uses

The bark is a good source of tannin and can be used to make ink. The juice of unripe fruits leaves an almost indelible mark on laundry. Pulped ripe fruit is used cosmetically in astringent face masks. Leaves yield a green dye; the fruit produces a dark grey to green dye; and bark boiled in an alkali gives a yellow dye. The plant is highly resistant to maritime exposure and suckers freely, making it well suited for hedging in exposed coastal positions. The hedge is stock-proof when well maintained, though it is fairly bare in winter and not the best shelter at that time of year. Its suckering habit makes it a natural pioneer species that invades cultivated ground and encourages woodland regeneration. The wood is very hard and used for turnery and rake teeth; suitable branches are prized for walking sticks due to their twisted, characterful shapes. Prunus spinosa also works well in windbreaks and alley cropping systems, and supports pollinators and wildlife through its nectar- and pollen-rich flowers and fruit.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Prunus spinosa, called blackthorn or sloe, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is native to Europe and West Asia, and has been naturalized in parts of North America. The fruits are used to make sloe gin in Great Britain and patxaran in Basque Country. The wood is used to make walking sticks, including the Irish shillelagh.

Other Information

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.

Notes

There are about 200 Prunus species.

Names & Synonyms

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

Prunus moldavica. Kotov. Prunus stepposa. Kotov.

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