Blackthorn

Description:

Blackthorn, also known as sloe, is a common shrub/small tree native to Europe and some parts of Asia and Africa. During spring, the trees are covered in delicate blossoms, like the ones pictured. The blooms will develop into the sloes (the fruits), which look like berries but are actually what are known as drupes - a fruit that has a pit or stone. All fruits from trees in the Prunus genus are drupes (cherries, apricots, plums, etc). Sloes are edible and normally harvested in October/November time. They are tart in flavour, and used in jams and preserves (apparently go well with apples!), and, of course, used to make sloe gin.

Habitat:

I have seen this plant growing along rivers, in parks and the edges of woodlands, even by the side of the road.

Notes:

I spotted these particular trees on the Wivenhoe Trail, but they are everywhere.