What is bullace fruit?
The bullace is a variety of plum. It bears edible fruit similar to those of the damson, and like the damson is considered to be a strain of the insititia subspecies of Prunus domestica. Though smaller than most damsons, bullaces are much larger than the closely related sloe.
What is a bullace tree?
Bullace (Prunus insititia) is a sort of wild plum, closely related to Blackthorn and to damsons; insititia is a subspecies of Prunus domestica. It’s found in hedgerows in the wild, and adds variety to a wildlife hedge. Left unpruned, however, bullace will grow to be a small tree.
What do bullace look like?
Little-known bullace are wild greengages that can be either yellow-green or blue-black and can often be mistaken for extra-large sloes. They have a full-on fruity, plum-like taste, yet are acidic and require plenty of sugar.
Can you eat bullaces?
Use as a food The fruit can be eaten raw when fully ripe, but can be quite acidic. Green/yellow fruits tend to be much sweeter. It can be used to make liqueurs.
Are sloes round or oval?
The blackthorn plant bears tiny, round plum-like fruit known as sloes.
Can you eat Bullaces?
Do bullaces have stones?
Sloes, wild damsons, wild cherry plums and bullaces all came from the same family – albeit distant relations. They all have stones and the bushes have similar leaves. Damsons have longer stems so hang and look more like a tiny plum.
How do you tell the difference between sloes and bullaces?
Sloes grow on the Blackthorn tree, the clue’s in the name, if you can pick them without getting scratched they’re bullace, if your flesh is ripped to shreds on vicious thorns, they’re sloes.
Can sloes be mistaken for anything poisonous?
Sloe bushes have sharp thorns and wild damson trees do not. Steve pointed out (see comments) that sloes can be confused with Deadly Nightshade – you can see some photos Deadly Nightshade photos here. Wild plums taste like domestic plums (from sharp Mirabelles to sweet Victorias).
Are sloes ripe yet?
The blackthorn produces these small, damson-like fruits across the bush and are most ripe after the first frost of winter. Blackthorns blossom between March and April and yield fruit from August to November – but it is advised to wait until later in the season to pick the best sloes.
How do you tell the difference between sloes and Bullaces?
Are sloes poisonous to humans?
While a small amount of raw berry will probably have little effect, the berries do contain hydrogen cyanide, which in larger doses may definitely have toxic effect. However, the berries are processed commercially into sloe gin as well as in wine making and preserves.
What kind of bullace fruit is black and purple?
The Black Bullace is the common “wild” bullace of woods in England, recognisable by its small, round black or dark purple fruit. It is sometimes classified as insititia var. nigra. It can be quite astringent until very ripe, or subject to a slight frost; a larger variety known as the “New Black Bullace” was later developed from it.
What kind of plums are in yellow bullace Jam?
Yellow bullace are a small wild plum, they also come in purple but the purple ones are v sour, still make good jam but not nice raw. There are photos on another post here (you mean you didn’t read my whole back catalogue ;D):
Where did the bullace plum tree get its name?
Wild plums were formerly given the related name “bullies” in parts of Lincolnshire. They were also known as the “bullum-tree” in Cornwall; “bullison” in Wiltshire; “scad” in Sussex; and as the “wild damson” in Yorkshire.
How much sugar to add to yellow bullace Jam?
Anyhoo, the recipe: 2 kilos yellow bullace 2.5 kilos sugar water. Put the bullace (with stones) into a large pan and add some water to stop them sticking.