Prunus spinosa insect-pollinated. The fruit, called a "sloe", is a drupe in diameter, black with a purple-blue waxy bloom, ripening in autumn and harvested – traditionally, at least in the UK – in October or November after the first frosts. Sloes are thin-fleshed, with a very strongly astringent flavour when fresh. "Prunus spinosa" is frequently confused with the related "P. cerasifera" (cherry plum), particularly in early spring when the latter starts flowering somewhat earlier than "P. spinosa". They can be distinguished by flower colour, creamy white in "P. spinosa", pure white in "P. cerasifera". They can also be distinguished in winter by
Prunus davidiana In China it is largely used as an ornamental, and the fruit is eaten, but not prized. In peach growing regions throughout the world it is used as a source of rootstocks. "Prunus" is the ancient Latin name for plum trees. "Davidiana" is named for L'Abbé Armand David (1826-1900), a missionary and collector of Chinese plants. Prunus davidiana Prunus davidiana (syn. Amygdalus davidiana, Persica davidiana, Prunus persica var. davidiana) is a species in the genus "Prunus" in the family Rosaceae. It is also known by the common names David's peach and Chinese wild peach. It is native to China, preferring