Prunus spinosa Britain, and in Germany and other central European countries. Sloes can also be made into jam, chutney, and used in fruit pies. Sloes preserved in vinegar are similar in taste to Japanese "umeboshi". The juice of the fruits dyes linen a reddish colour that washes out to a durable pale blue. Blackthorn makes an excellent fire wood that burns slowly with a good heat and little smoke. The wood takes a fine polish and is used for tool handles and canes. Straight blackthorn stems have traditionally been made into walking sticks or clubs (known in Ireland as a shillelagh). In
Aralia spinosa fruit. The fruit was used in many of the natives' foods. The women would take the flowers and put them in their hair because of the lemony smell. The flowers could also be traded for money. In the past, botanists attributed occurrences of "Aralia" north of Maryland and Delaware in the Middle Atlantic states to introductions of "Aralia spinosa" from areas to the south. However some of these occurrences are now known to be of "Aralia elata" (Japanese Angelica-tree), a related Asian species that is invasive in the area. "A. spinosa" and "A. elata" are difficult to distinguish in the