Bluebell

Common Name: Bluebell

Latin Name: Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Family: Liliaceae

There are three species of bluebell growing in the British Isles. Of these the native species is Hyacinthoides non-scripta and the other two species, Italian bluebell (H. italica) and the Spanish bluebell (H.hispanica), have been introduced to the British Isles. Where the native species and the Spanish bluebell grow in close proximity they can form hybrid plants. Of the three species the native bluebell has the longest stem (to 50cm) and the flowers are strongly scented and hang to one side of the flowering spike or raceme.

The British Isles are said to be the best place in the world to see carpets of bluebells. Bluebells can be seen at their best in April – May in profusion on the floors of old deciduous woodlands when the trees leaves are just opening. These flowers are not seen exclusively in woodlands though; they can also be seen on bracken covered damp pastures, cliffs and hedge banks where the conditions are right. However, bluebells rarely grow in acidic soil conditions.

The bluebell was formerly used as a source of glue for book-binding and fixing arrow-flights and a source of starch for linen processing. The bulb is still thought to have diuretic properties and is also poisonous. Today all wild plants are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), and it is an offence for anyone to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy any wild plant without landowner permission.

In the Yorkshire Dales National Park the native bluebell is widespread in low level woodland for example, Freeholders Wood Local Nature Reserve (Lower Wensleydale) and Grass Wood (Wharfedale). They are also sometimes found in the sheltered grykes of limestone pavement in the limestone country.