The Sloe only has a small spot as a flower scar, if in doubt bite into
it, very sharp and astringent then it's a Sloe.

*Small for sloes? It would help if the OP could tell us the plant size and
growth habit, and the size of the fruit... and whether *he's in a markedly
acid or alkaline area.

* * Janet

* *Janet.

Right, something else I failed to think of! The berries are half inch
diameter, they also lack the crease on one side the plum family has.
Plant size my memory's a bit hazy, it wasnt the only plant I was
looking at, but 3-6 foot high. The soil is clay, I believe alkaline,
and a bit on the wet side.

I totally agree with what someone said further up, I wont be eating
any until I'm positive I've got the identification right.

NT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Who said anything about eating?
I said taste, that means getting the tip of your tongue onto the
inside flesh, that wont kill you, it wont make you ill, it will just
let you know that they ARE Sloes.
Even Nightshade in that ammount would have no effect on you.
They are far less harmefull than Green tomatoes, green potatoes, Raw
Rhubarb, or for that matter raw Onions or a spoonfull of sugar.