Bullace
Encyclopedia
The bullace is a variety of plum
. It bears edible fruit similar to those of the damson
, and like the damson is considered to be a strain of the insititia subspecies of Prunus domestica
. Although the term has regionally been applied to several different kinds of "wild plum" found in the United Kingdom
, it is usually taken to refer to varieties with a round shape, as opposed to the oval damsons.
Unlike damsons, bullaces may be either "white" (i.e. yellow or green) or "black" (i.e. blue or purple) in colour, and though smaller than most damsons are much larger than the related sloe. Their flavour is usually rather acid until fully ripe.
beloce, meaning "sloe", via Middle English
bolas. Wild plums were formerly given the related name "bullies" in parts of Lincolnshire
. They were also known as the "bullum-tree" in Cornwall
; "bullison" in Wiltshire
; "scad" in Sussex
; and as the "wild damson" in Yorkshire
. The similar word bwlas was used in the Welsh language
.
Like other varieties of Prunus domestica, the bullace may have had its origin in hybrids between the sloe (Prunus spinosa) and cherry plum
(Prunus cerasifera), though there is also evidence that domestica was solely descended from the latter. Prunus insititia is still, however, occasionally regarded as a separate (entirely native) species. It is possible that the bullace is genuinely native to the United Kingdom: the horticulturalist Harold Taylor, in his book The Plums of England, described it as "the only truly English plum", observing that all other hybrid varieties of plum and damson had at least some non-native origins.
Although once cultivated, the bullace gradually fell out of favour as newer, larger or sweeter types of damson or plum displaced it, and it hung on at the fringes of cultivation. Its hardiness meant that, like the damson, it was occasionally planted as a windbreak or hedging tree.
and Essex
and may still be found in hedgerows in eastern England.
by the odd name "crex". It was grown in large quantities in Norfolk
in the 19th century, for use in preserving or cooking. It is also occasionally referred to as the "Golden Bullace".
nurseries at Langley, Berkshire. It was a cross between an Orleans plum and the Farleigh damson. This is the largest and (when ripe, which occurs in November) sweetest variety, and is not considered a 'true' bullace in some sources.
Abercrombie
and Mawe, writing in 1779, described three types of bullace, the "white", "black" and "red". Robert Hogg described an "Essex Bullace", which appears identical to the Shepherd's Bullace.
, they were also traditionally used to make fruit wine
. However, some bullaces are palatable raw if sufficiently ripe.
Plum
A plum or gage is a stone fruit tree in the genus Prunus, subgenus Prunus. The subgenus is distinguished from other subgenera in the shoots having a terminal bud and solitary side buds , the flowers in groups of one to five together on short stems, and the fruit having a groove running down one...
. It bears edible fruit similar to those of the damson
Damson
The damson or damson plum is an edible drupaceous fruit, a subspecies of the plum tree. Sometimes called the Damask plum, damsons are commonly used in the preparation of jams and jellies...
, and like the damson is considered to be a strain of the insititia subspecies of Prunus domestica
Prunus domestica
Prunus domestica is a Prunus species with many varieties. These are often called "plums" in common English, though not all plums belong to this species. Its hybrid parentage is believed to be Prunus spinosa and Prunus cerasifera var. divaricata...
. Although the term has regionally been applied to several different kinds of "wild plum" found in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it is usually taken to refer to varieties with a round shape, as opposed to the oval damsons.
Unlike damsons, bullaces may be either "white" (i.e. yellow or green) or "black" (i.e. blue or purple) in colour, and though smaller than most damsons are much larger than the related sloe. Their flavour is usually rather acid until fully ripe.
Etymology and origin
The name probably originates from the Old FrenchOld French
Old French was the Romance dialect continuum spoken in territories that span roughly the northern half of modern France and parts of modern Belgium and Switzerland from the 9th century to the 14th century...
beloce, meaning "sloe", via Middle English
Middle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
bolas. Wild plums were formerly given the related name "bullies" in parts of Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
. They were also known as the "bullum-tree" in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
; "bullison" in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
; "scad" in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
; and as the "wild damson" in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. The similar word bwlas was used in the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
.
Like other varieties of Prunus domestica, the bullace may have had its origin in hybrids between the sloe (Prunus spinosa) and cherry plum
Cherry plum
Prunus cerasifera is a species of plum known by the common names cherry plum and myrobalan plum. It is native to Europe and Asia....
(Prunus cerasifera), though there is also evidence that domestica was solely descended from the latter. Prunus insititia is still, however, occasionally regarded as a separate (entirely native) species. It is possible that the bullace is genuinely native to the United Kingdom: the horticulturalist Harold Taylor, in his book The Plums of England, described it as "the only truly English plum", observing that all other hybrid varieties of plum and damson had at least some non-native origins.
Although once cultivated, the bullace gradually fell out of favour as newer, larger or sweeter types of damson or plum displaced it, and it hung on at the fringes of cultivation. Its hardiness meant that, like the damson, it was occasionally planted as a windbreak or hedging tree.
Varieties
Four main varieties of bullace are recognised in England: the White, Black, Shepherd's and Langley. There is, however, a wide variation between trees found in different districts. Bullaces generally ripen in October-November, rather later than other types of plum. They may sometimes be found growing wild in woods or hedgerows, particularly near old farmhouses; others may be found in old gardens or orchards, or can still be purchased from some nurseries.Shepherd's Bullace
This variety has relatively large round fruit, ripening by October to a grass green or yellowish green colour, with small red spots on the sunward side. It was formerly common in KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and may still be found in hedgerows in eastern England.
White Bullace
The White Bullace has small, yellowish fruit, with greenish flesh. A very old variety, it was once known in CambridgeshireCambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
by the odd name "crex". It was grown in large quantities in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
in the 19th century, for use in preserving or cooking. It is also occasionally referred to as the "Golden Bullace".
Black Bullace
The Black Bullace is the common "wild" bullace of woods in England, recognisable by its small, round black or dark purple fruit. It can be quite astringent until very ripe or subject to a slight frost. A larger variety known as the "New Black Bullace" was later developed from it.Langley Bullace
The Langley Bullace, or "Veitch's Black Bullace", was first raised in 1902 by the VeitchHarry Veitch
Sir Harry James Veitch was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London...
nurseries at Langley, Berkshire. It was a cross between an Orleans plum and the Farleigh damson. This is the largest and (when ripe, which occurs in November) sweetest variety, and is not considered a 'true' bullace in some sources.
Abercrombie
John Abercrombie (horticulturalist)
John Abercrombie was a Scottish horticulturist important to renovating garden techniques. He is noted for the book Every Man His Own Gardener , which he co-wrote with Thomas Mawe...
and Mawe, writing in 1779, described three types of bullace, the "white", "black" and "red". Robert Hogg described an "Essex Bullace", which appears identical to the Shepherd's Bullace.
Uses
Bullaces are often stated to only be suitable for cooking. As well as being used for stewing and making various fruit preservesFruit preserves
Fruit preserves are preparations of fruits and sugar, often canned or sealed for long-term storage. The preparation of fruit preserves today often involves adding commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used, as well. Prior to World War II, fruit preserve...
, they were also traditionally used to make fruit wine
Fruit wine
Fruit wines are fermented alcoholic beverages made from a variety of base ingredients ; they may also have additional flavours taken from fruits, flowers, and herbs. This definition is sometimes broadened to include any fermented alcoholic beverage except beer...
. However, some bullaces are palatable raw if sufficiently ripe.