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
Prunus × pugetensis The chief difference from its parents is that its flowers almost always abort, and it rarely bears any fruit. Prunus × pugetensis Prunus × pugetensis is a hybrid species of cherry discovered growing in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It has been given the nominal common name Puget Sound cherry. It is a cross of introduced sweet cherry, "Prunus avium", and native Oregon cherry, "Prunus emarginata". Individuals have been found growing in British Columbia, Washington state and Oregon, in the natural range of "P. emarginata". It differs from "P. avium" in a number of features, including having narrower