Practical
Plants

Prunus spinosa

Sloe

a deciduous fruit tree or shrub of the Prunus genus in the family Rosaceae. It is a great plant for hedges and makes a delicious astringent fruit often used to make a flavoured gin.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Prunus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Flower colours
white
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[12][20][22][2][5][6][18]. Exceedingly astringent, it is normally cooked but once the fruit has been frosted it loses some of its astringency and some people find they can enjoy it raw[183, K]. The fruit is more usually used in jellies, syrups, conserves etc and as a flavouring for sloe gin and other liqueurs[10]. Some fruits that we ate in December were fairly pleasant raw[K]. In France the unripe fruit is pickled like an olive[10]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter and contains one large seed[13]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity. The leaves are used as a tea substitute[22][10]. The dried fruits can be added to herbal teas[10]. The flowers are edible and can be crystallised or sugared[10].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Fresh, Cooked
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Pickled
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Drink, Alcohol, Tea
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Jam, Jelly, Syrup

A delicious, if sometimes astringent, jam, jelly or syrup can be made from Sloe berries.

Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Sugared
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Fresh, Cooked

Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers, bark, leaves and fruits are aperient, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative and stomachic[22][24][14]. An infusion of the flowers is used in the treatment of diarrhoea (especially for children), bladder and kidney disorders, stomach weakness et[24]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[15].

Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

The bark is a good source of tannin[22]. It is used to make an ink[21]. The juice of unripe fruits is used as a laundry mark[21], it is almost indelible[4]. The pulped ripe fruit is used cosmetically in making astringent face-masks[22]. A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[7]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[7]. The bark, boiled in an alkali, produces a yellow dye[21]. The sloe is very resistant to maritime exposure and also suckers freely. It can be used as a hedge in exposed maritime positions. The hedge is stock-proof if it is well maintained[1][16], though it is rather bare in the winter and, unless the hedge is rather wide, it is not a very good shelter at this time[K]. Because of its suckering habit, the plant is a natural pioneer species, invading cultivated fields and creating conditions conducive to the regeneration of woodland. Wood - very hard. Used for turnery, the teeth of rakes etc[1][6][19][21]. Suitable branches are used for making walking sticks and are highly valued for this purpose because of their twisted and interesting shapes[22].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Cosmetic
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Dye
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Dye
Plant part
Bark
Product or use
Tannin, Ink
Plant part
Wood
Plant part
Wood
Product or use
Fuel

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy, Shrub

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to the Mediterranean, Siberia and Iran.
Habitat
Hedgerows and woods, usually in sunny positions, on all soils except acid peats[24][8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[13]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[13]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[2][13]. Softwood cuttings from strongly growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Layering in spring. Division of suckers during the dormant season. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[2]. Succeeds in all soils except very acid peats[11]. Succeeds in light shade but fruits better in a sunny position[2][13]. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone[2]. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present[1]. Thrives on chalk according to another report[9]. Plants are very resistant to maritime exposure[11]. An important food plant for the caterpillars of several species of butterfly[17], especially the larvae of the brown and black hairstreak butterflies[11]. 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[11]. Flowers are often damaged by late frosts[11]. Plants regenerate quickly after cutting or after fast moving forest fires, producing suckers from below ground level[11]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[23][13].

Crops

The fruit is similar to a small damson or plum, suitable for preserves, but rather tart and astringent for eating, unless it is picked after the first few days of autumn frost. Some have reported that this effect can be reproduced by freezing harvested sloes[25], although it is understood that it is the result of the plant withdrawing tannins from the sloes in freezing weather.[27]

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  5. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩

  6. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2

  7. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  9. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  14. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  16. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  17. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  18. Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00

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  19. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  20. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  21. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  22. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  23. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩

  24. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  25. [[1]] Celtic Rambler (2012/08/07)

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  26. Collins Edition Collins Tree Guide Collins ()

  27. Wikipedia www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia (2012/08/07)

    • www.wikipedia.org
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