Prunus spinosa the British Army, blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the Royal Irish Regiment; this is a tradition also in Irish regiments in some Commonwealth countries. The leaves resemble tea leaves, and were used as an adulterant of tea. Shlomo Yitzhaki, a Talmudist and Tanakh commentator of the High Middle Ages, writes that the sap (or gum) of "P. spinosa" (which he refers to as the ) was used as an ingredient in the making of some inks used for manuscripts. The fruit stones have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Evidence of the early use of sloes 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