Bullace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bullace |
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| Black bullaces growing in a Denbighshire hedgerow | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Prunus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
P. d. subsp. insititia
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| Varietas: |
P. d. var. nigra
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| Trinomial name | |
| Prunus domestica var. nigra (L.) C.K.Schneid.
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The bullace is a type of plum that grows in the wild. It produces fruit that you can eat. These fruits look a lot like damsons. Like damsons, bullaces are part of the insititia subspecies of Prunus domestica.
In the United Kingdom, the name "bullace" often means a round-shaped wild plum. This is different from damsons, which are usually oval. Bullaces can be "white" (yellow or green) or "black" (blue or purple). They ripen later in the year than most damsons, sometimes up to six weeks later.
Bullaces are smaller than most damsons. But they are much bigger than the sloe, which is a close relative. The fruit usually tastes quite sour until it is fully ripe.
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Where Does the Bullace Come From?
The word "bullace" likely comes from an old French word, beloce. This word meant "sloe." Over time, it changed into the Middle English word bolas. In some parts of England, wild plums were also called "bullies." Other local names included "bullum-tree" in Cornwall and "scad" in Sussex.
Scientists think the bullace might have come from a mix of two other plants. These are the sloe (Prunus spinosa) and the cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera). However, some experts believe the bullace developed only from the sloe.
Some people think the bullace is truly native to Great Britain. A plant expert named Harold Taylor called it "the only truly English plum." He believed other plum types had some origins from outside England.
Long ago, people used to grow bullaces in their gardens. They were popular during the Tudor period in England. But over time, new types of plums and damsons became more popular. These new varieties were often bigger or sweeter. Bullaces were still sometimes planted as a windbreak or hedge. This was because they were very tough plants. They were also valued for providing fruit late in the year.
Different Types of Bullace
There are four main types of bullace found in England. These are the White, Black, Shepherd's, and Langley varieties. A bullace can grow as a small tree, up to about 8 meters tall. It can also grow as a bush. You can tell it apart from a sloe by its wider leaves. It also has very few or no thorns.
Bullaces usually ripen in October or November. This is later than most other plums. They often produce a lot of fruit. You might find them growing wild in woods or hedgerows. They are especially common near old farmhouses. You can also find them in old gardens or orchards. Some plant nurseries still sell them today.
Black Bullace: The Wild One
The Black Bullace is a common type found in English woods. It has small, round fruits that are black or dark purple. Sometimes, it is called insititia var. nigra. These fruits can taste quite sharp until they are very ripe. They also taste better after a light frost. A larger type, called the "New Black Bullace," was later developed from this one.
White Bullace: The Golden Fruit
The White Bullace is also known as the Golden Bullace. It has small, yellowish fruits with greenish flesh inside. It is a very old type of bullace. In some areas, like Cambridgeshire and Essex, it was called "cricksies."
In the 1800s, a lot of White Bullaces were grown in Norfolk. They were used for making preserves and cooking. A plant expert named Hogg said its flesh was "firm, juicy, sweet and subacid." This means it was a bit sour but still pleasant.
Shepherd's Bullace: Green and Spotted
This type of bullace has fairly large, round fruits. They ripen by October to a grass-green or yellowish-green color. They often have small red spots on the side that faces the sun. This variety used to be common in Kent and Essex. You might still find it in hedgerows in eastern England.
Langley Bullace: The Newest Type
The Langley Bullace is also called "Veitch's Black Bullace." It is the newest variety. It was first grown in 1902 by the Veitch nurseries in Langley, Berkshire. This bullace is a mix of an Orleans plum and a Farleigh damson. Because of this, some people don't consider it a "true" bullace.
This is the largest type of bullace. When it ripens in November, it is also the sweetest.
What Are Bullaces Used For?
Many people say bullaces are best for cooking. They are often used for stewing. People also make different fruit preserves like jams and jellies from them. In the past, bullaces were used to make fruit wine. A bullace pie was a common dish at harvest celebrations in southern England during the 1800s.
However, some bullaces can be eaten raw. They taste good if they are fully ripe.
