Taxonomy

Hyacinthoides non-scripta | Bluebell | Coinnle corra

Distribution

Status

Native status

Native

Species Biology

Identification

  • Distinctive woodland plant that flowers in April-May
  • The glossy linear leaves are fleshy and come from the root
  • Long spikes with 4-15 drooping, purple-blue flowers on one side. The flower colour can range from the familiar blue to white
  • Each flower has cream anthers and six backward curving lobes
  • Bluebells are perennial flowers that grow from underground bulbs and are found in the same location year after year

Bluebells hybridise easily with the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica), a species introduced to the horticultural market. By checking carefully it is easy to distinguish the hybrid. The flowers have non-curving lobes and are not in a one-sided spike. The anthers in the hybrid are blue.

Habitat

Deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, shady banks 

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.

How can you help

This species is included in our spring flowering plants project. If you see the species please submit your sighting. All information is very valuable.

Full list of species included in the spring flowering plants project:

  1. Bluebell
  2. Common Dog-violet
  3. Cowslip
  4. Early Dog-violet
  5. Early-purple Orchid
  6. Lady’s smock (Cuckooflower)
  7. Lesser Celandine
  8. Lords-and Ladies
  9. Primrose
  10. Toothwort
  11. Wild Garlic
  12. Winter Heliotrope
  13. Wood Anemone
  14. Wood Sorrel
  15. Coltsfoot
  16. Three-cornered Garlic

Further information

This species is included in the spring flowering plants project which is a collaboration between the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the BSBI. It is hoped we can collect valuable data to improve our knowledge of the current distribution of some common plants. All data will be fully validated by both partners before loading to Biodiversity Maps and being made available to the BSBI.