Sloe
Sloe, or Blackthorn, a shrub or small tree native to Europe and western Asia. The sloe grows to about 15 feet (4.6 m) in height and has short, thorny branches. Its small white flowers bloom in April, usually before the leaves begin to appear, The round, blue-black fruit is about one-half inch (13 mm) in diameter. A liqueur known as sloe gin is made from the pulp of this rather bitter fruit. The dark brown wood of the sloe is sometimes used to make walking sticks and other items.
The sloe is Prunus spinosa of the rose family, Rosaceae.