What have I picked? | General Forum | Discuss

What have I picked?

bulj

2 Posts

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September 28, 2009 - 6:23 am

We went Sloe picking for the first time yesterday and picked a lot of Sloeish fruits that I thought might actually be wild plums. After checking for identity later, I'm a bit miffed as the large leathery leaves on these bushes do not seems to correspond with the pictures that I've seen of Sloes, Damsons etc. They do have a texture very similar to plums. Can anyone shed some light?

jadeforrest

237 Posts

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September 28, 2009 - 4:13 pm

It looks like Laurel to me, but I could be wrong. Laurel is not edible as far as I know

jadeforrest

237 Posts

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September 28, 2009 - 4:14 pm

In Oregon, Laurel is supposedly considered an invasive species. As is holly, by the way.

John S

PDX OR

2952 Posts

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September 28, 2009 - 10:24 pm

I agree. My best guess is Laurel. Prunus, but not edible.
John S
PDX OR

bulj

2 Posts

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September 28, 2009 - 11:47 pm

Thanks for the replies. No toxic Gin for me then <img decoding= " title="Laughing" />

lonrom

197 Posts

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September 29, 2009 - 12:09 pm

It's the leaves, stems and seeds that are poisonous. But that's true even of sweet cherries. Many of the Prunus family have cyanide in the foliage and seeds. The fruit of the Laurel itself is edible, but not very tasty. The species is Prunus laurocerasus.

The species of the Sloe, for sloe gin, is Prunus spinosa. I have it.

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