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• Native Bluebell

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Photo ©2007 Michael Maggs
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Native bluebell - Hyacinthoides non scripta
Family - Asparagaceae
Also known as - Bell Bottle
Syn - Endymion nutans, Scilla non-scripta

This plant is poisonous

Formerly known as - Endymion non–scriptus or Scilla non–scripta, the Native bluebell is a familiar and vommon perennial of the British Isles with the exception of the northern Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.  It often noted that 25%–50% of all bluebells worldwide may be found in the British Isles.  It often carpets whole woodland floors if the area suits its requirements, and can also be found in hedges and on coastal cliffs, it is common throughout the UK preferring light acid soils.  Growing from a creamy white bulb, the linear leaves are long and narrow, dark green and glossy forming a basal cluster.  It has dark blue to violet, bell shaped flowers 12–18mm (0.5–0.8in) long in one-sided, nodding racemes of five to twelve flowers, with strongly recurved petals and white pollen, which appear April - June on a stem growing to about 30cm (12in) high.  Each flower fruits to a single triangular (three lobed) pod containing small black seeds 3–4mm (0.11–0.15in) in diameter.  Propagates by bulb division in the summer or by seed in the autumn.

The Native bluebell forms a dense clump of plants that are fully hardy and grow in partial shade on heavy soil requiring plenty of moisture.  Occasionally a genetic mutation produces white flowers, although it is rare for the native bluebell to produce the white form.  Bluebells can carpet the ground in suitable woodlands almost to the exclusion of other plants.

Native bluebells are protected by Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act making it illegal to collect native bluebells in the wild for the purpose of selling them.  Indeed it is actually illegal to uproot ANY wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier.  In law the term "plant" includes algae, lichens and fungi as well the true plants - mosses, liverworts and vascular plants.  Plants are legal property of the landowner and are therefore protected under the Theft Act 1968, where it is an offence to pick plants without the owners permission.

White form Bluebells Click for a larger image Photo ©1999-		Pink form hybrid	White form hybrid
		Two photos above of pink and white forms of the invasive Spanish Bluebell - Hyacinthoides x massartiana Photos ©1999–

How to tell Bluebell species apart –

• Native – Hyacinthoides non–scripta –
• Narrow leaves between 1–1.5cm (0.4–0.55in) wide.
• Deep blue, occasionally white, narrow, tube–like flowers, with the very tips curled right back.
• A distinct, sweetish scent.
• Flowers on one side of the stem only, and distinctly drooping at the top.
• Anthers with the pollen are white or cream.

• Hybrid – Hyacinthoides hispanica –
• Broad leaves 2.5cm (1in) or more wide.
• Pale blue, often pink or white, conical or bell–shaped flowers that have spread–out tips.
• None or almost no scent.
• Anthers with blue or green pollen.
• Flowers clustered all around the upright stem.

How to identify Bluebells - here, courtesy of the Wildlife trusts.

BCP do not advise or recommend that Native bluebell – Hyacinthoides x massartiana is eaten or used as an herbal remedy.   All Bluebells are poisonous with all parts of the plant containing glycosides that are toxic to humans and animals.  Ingestion causes a lowering of the pulse rate, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting, large quantities it can cause fatal heart problems.

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