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 subhirtella Prunus subhirtella Prunus subhirtella ("Prunus" × "subhirtella") or Prunus pendula sometimes also called winter-flowering cherry, spring cherry, Higan cherry, or rosebud cherry is a small deciduous flowering tree originating in Japan, but unknown in the wild. It is probably of hybrid origin between "Prunus incisa" and "Prunus spachiana". "Prunus subhirtella" bears white to pink flowers which may emerge intermittently from autumn through to spring, and small black fruit. Several garden forms are known. The variety 'Jugatsu-zakura' (incorrectly known as "Prunus" × "subhirtella" 'Autumnalis') is widely grown for its propensity to flower during mild winter weather. The flowers can be used