mysterious sussex fruits for identification (please) ?

Herman Hellebore · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2011, 04:38 PM

Hi everyone - wonder if you'd be kind enough to let me know what you think these might be, both found growing in hedgerows in East Sussex this afternoon.

Trees were both decent sized, 20 foot plus, there were just a few of the dark things left, but the green 'uns, the tree was absolutely laden with them

Damsons and greengages, I reckon - but then I'm generally rubbish at things like this - heh....

any clarification very gratefully received - thanks

Juliet1200 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2011, 05:00 PM

They look a bit like sloes (blackthorn) to me, but I'm certainly no expert!

Dorts · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2011, 05:16 PM

They are one of the complex that is the 'Wild Plum'. This includes Damsons, Bullaces, Plums and Greengages.
I've always refered to the small, round, green fruits like yours as Bullaces. Quite edible when ripe.
Dorts.

Hobjob · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorts

They are one of the complex that is the 'Wild Plum'. This includes Damsons, Bullaces, Plums and Greengages.
I've always refered to the small, round, green fruits like yours as Bullaces. Quite edible when ripe.
Dorts.

In Suffolk they are called Bullace by those that use it for jam.
Though in the past WAB has said that is incorrect.

There are several bushes of it between South and West hide at Minsmere (and sloes too).

NB to self. Must look this up properly one day.

Herman Hellebore · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2011, 06:39 PM

thanks to all for the replies, though these and the other, longer bullace thread here still leave room for some doubt - strikes me as if it can't be positively identified as anything else, then it's a bullace

anyway, i have a shopping bag full of the things (predominantly green, with a handful of purple ones) which are going in to a demijohn with a load of vodka, and them as don't fit in there will be for the jam pot !