Prunus umbellata - Elliott
Rosaceae (Rose) Family
Sloe is a small deciduous native tree found throughout most of Alabama. It is a small, often contorted tree reaching heights of 18-20 feet.
The bark is dark reddish brown to gray and furrowed. Short shoots form sharp pointed spines that arise from the twigs.
The leaves are petiolate, elliptic in outline, and singly serrate; usually smoth.
The flowers are produced before the leaves, occurring 2-6 flowered umbels. The flowers are stalked, have 5 erect to spreading sepals with entire margins, and 5 white petals. The flowers turn pinkish as they age. The flowers may be fragrant or odorless.
Fruit is are sometimes glaucous (covered with a whitish bloom); often small and tart, but are eaten by many species of wildlife and can be used to make jellies or jams.
Sloe is the common wild plum throughout much of Alabama.