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 serrulata of the world. Numerous cultivars have been selected, many of them with double flowers with the stamens replaced by additional petals. In cultivation in Europe and North America, it is usually grafted on to "Prunus avium" roots; the cultivated forms rarely bear fruit. It is viewed as part of the Japanese custom of Hanami. There are several varieties: Some important cultivars include: Prunus serrulata Prunus serrulata or Japanese cherry, also called hill cherry, oriental cherry or East Asian cherry, is a species of cherry native to China, Japan, Korea and India, and is used for its spring cherry blossom displays