Gloves for brambles

I've found cheapo gardening gloves just fine for nettles. But pyracantha, blackthorn and thistles are in another realm

I expect you are aware, but others may not be, that a blacktorn in the skin is notorious for turning septic. Also goes under the name of sloe, buckthorn, bullace, etc.

In my case not septic, but caused warts for YEARS until I went on the attack with chemical weapons and a scalpel..and finally got the buried bit out

Bullace is not blackthorn.

It's more a proto black plum, and is very like a damson. I have Bullace (small black plums) Mirabelle (small green gage like plums) blackthorn (sloes) all growing wild in my hedges ...

I got the tip of a thistle in my finger a few weeks ago, I think it's all out now (no redness/itchiness left) but there *is* still a suspicious pin-prick centred in the skin where it used to be ...

Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) is entirely different, and largely, if not entirely, foreigh. (Asia, N. America)

Sloe (Prunus sp., in Rosacae), is related to Bullace which has a larger drupe, something the size of a damson or small plum. Bullaces often have no spines and tend to grow as straight whips, around six to eight feet in height, but can grow into a small tree. Bullaces can be dark like sloes, or green like gages, and are always larger, and can be either plum-shaped or globular. Green fruit ripen to a gold colour. Etc:- I have no knowledge of that species.

Unless there are local synonyms, 'sloe' and 'blackthorn' are the only accepted names, varieties of sloe (slee, etc across Europe and maybe further afield) shows it has been a cultivated species widely and from time immememorial, and its products traded since early times.

It seems that 'bullace' is also used for the 'wild greengage' of which I have many - I always called them 'mirabelle'.

They are a fiddle to eat but very delicious, which the dark bullace fruits are not. Very mouth puckering.

Damsons and Sloes are even worse.

'mirabelle'.

Mirabelle is a species of cherry-plum, I think. It is much used for brewing and distilling into a sort of slivovitz. I prefer it made from the Quetsch plum.

Only if you don't let them ripen properly. I used to have a stand of blue bullaces and not many of them ever got much further when they mmmmm! Chomp, slurp, ping!

Never. Ripe damsons are delish. Sloes are OK once they've had a frost on them. Not a lot of frost about these days? Put ripe drupes into the freezer. (But let them defrost before you try to scoff them!)

I've never tried eating a sloe, I was quite surprised to find them within a hedge last year, tried to find someone who might want to make sloe gin, but found no takers ... the birds soon found them and finished them off.

I try eating them every year. I mean, when you see a fat ripe luscious looking one it’s hard not to, right?

Apart from taking a small nibble they nearly all get spat out again. Looks can be deceptive. ;-)

I’ve never heard of anyone eating sloes. I did make some sloe and apple jam a couple of years ago but even that had a slight mouth puckering aftertaste/feel. I think it’s still lurking at the back of the fridge…

Tim

After making (and drinking...) sloe gin, you are left with many sweet and alcoholic sloes. Many years ago, I cut the flesh off these and melted them into dark chocolate to make a sort of liqueur chocolate - a bit like cherry brandy chocs. They weren't at all bad.

Try a good white rum - warmer than gin. Not that I'd refuse one - skaal!

If you aren't going to eat it, turn it into wine, or steep it in spirit and strain it. *Then* use thev residue ash cham. S'lushuss

I've sent off for two pairs. If they're no good I'll blame you. Bill

SWMBO has sent off for some too. If they're no good, she'll blame me...

Yes, it is. Cherry-plum is Prunus cerasifera and is diploid, sloe is P. spinosa and is tetraploid, and bullace, damson and common plums are P. domestica and are hexaploid. Their ancestry is still under debate but it is likely that they are descendants in that order.

I eat sloes straight off the bush, in small numbers. I like the astringency.

Regards, Nick Maclaren.

Any injuries to report?

She has them, but not tried them yet as she has been (a) busy (b) under the weather a bit. And she says it's too hot today. I TOLD her to get up earlier.