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 spherical shape, as opposed to the oval damsons.

[1][2] Unlike nearly all damsons, bullaces may be either "white" (i.e. yellow or green) or "black" (i.e. blue or purple) in colour, and ripen up to six weeks later in the year.

[6] Another theory suggests that the bullace developed (or was selected) over time from the sloe, without the involvement of Prunus cerasifera.

[5] Its hardiness meant that, like the damson, it was occasionally planted as a windbreak or hedging tree, and until the 20th century was regarded as valuable for providing fruit very late in the year.

[10] 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.

[11] A very old variety, it was once known in Cambridgeshire and Essex by the name "cricksies" or "crickses", formed on an earlier plural "creeks", and probably originating in Anglo-Norman creke.

[12] It was grown in large quantities in Norfolk in the 19th century, for use in preserving or cooking;[11] Hogg described the flesh as "firm, juicy, sweet and subacid".

[16] Loudon also mentions a black, white and red bullace, as well a double flowered variety flore pleno.