Common sloe (Prunus spinosa)

Other names: sloe, sloe, sloe, thorns, thorn, mallow, sloe plum

The common sloe, also known as plum sloe, thorny plum, sloe, thorn, mallow or sloe, is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to a height of about 2 to 3 metres. It is known for its densely covered branches, which are sharp and thorny-tipped. It is distributed almost throughout Europe and extends as far as western Asia. In the Czech Republic, the common sloe is one of the most common species of sloes. Its small, dark red to purple fruits are called sloes. They have a characteristic bitter taste and are rich in vitamin C.

Sloes are mainly used in gastronomy, where they are used to make various products such as sloe syrup, sloe jam, sloe liqueur, sloe honey and sloe vinegar. Because of their astringent taste, sloes are also used in the production of certain types of wine. In addition, sloes are used in folk medicine for their high vitamin C content, for example to treat diarrhoea or colds. Sloes are also very popular with gardeners who grow them as an ornamental plant or hedge. A special category is that of winemakers, who use the sloes to make a special sloe wine.