Wildlife in Norfolk > Species explorer > Plants > Bluebell
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Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta

The true native bluebell is a scented deep blue/purple flower, which hangs down from the arching stem. This common favourite ought not to be confused with the foreign species of bluebells.

Conservation status in Norfolk

There are still woodland areas where the plants may be found in quantity, but there have been significant thefts of bluebell bulbs. The introduction of the muntjac deer is causing many problems as these animals are partial to the bluebell leaves and can cause great damage by eating them to the ground and by crushing them. The rapid spread of foreign bluebells is also a problem as they are more vigorous than the native species with which they also readily hybridise.

Click to see the Biodiversity Action Plan Species for this species

How to help

Protect the native bluebell by not picking the flowers. Do not introduce foreign bluebells into woods containing native bluebells.

Adopt me today and help ensure my future!
Bluebells: Matthew Tebbutt

Bluebells: Matthew Tebbutt

Bluebells: Barry Madden

Bluebells: Barry Madden

Bluebells: Lucy Denman

Bluebells: Lucy Denman

Information on the Bluebell

How to recognise

True native bluebell flowers are deep purple/blue, tubular, turn up at the ends and are scented. The flowers hang down from arching stems. They should not be confused with the imported Spanish bluebells Hyacinthoides hispanica which bear flowers all round the stems, have wider and paler blue flowers which are not turned up at the ends, are largely unscented and which have rapidly spread from gardens. Hybrids of the two species are becoming more common. The leaves of both species are long narrow and shiny. Occasionally flowers of both species may be found which are pink or white.

Where to see

Bluebells prefer to grow in light to moderate shade and may often be found in patches of hundreds or thousands of plants seen at their best in beech or mixed native woodlands, such as NWT Foxley Wood.

When to see

In an average year bluebells will start to flower from mid to late April until the first two to three weeks of May. They can produce a great deal of seed so young plants at all stages of growth may often be seen.

Did you know?

The bulbs produce an extremely sticky substance which was once used to stick the pages in books and the feathers on arrows.

Finding out more

Plantlife:
www.plantlife.org.uk

Floralocale:
www.floralocale.org.uk

Related questions

Surveying woodlands – How do I find out if my wood is an ancient woodland?

An ancient wood is classed as being an area that has been continuously wooded since 1600. Surveying woodland which is ancient is well worthwhile as they are usually very rich in wildlife, as well as being extremely important habitats.

There are several methods of establishing if the wood is ancient including:

Using maps to identify ancient woodlands

Looking at a map or an aerial photograph can give you vital evidence as to whether the woodland is ancient. Your local library or the websites below are a good starting point as they will normally hold the following documents:

It’s all in a name…

The name of a woodland may give you a clue as to whether it is ancient. Does the name incorporate the old names for ‘wood’ (grove, hanger or lea), or suggest an old industry (e.g. tanner, kiln or brick-kiln)?

Ancient woodland plant indicators
  1.  
Use survey form o

Carry out a woodland survey; if you find five or more of the following plant species in the wood, it is quite possible that the woodland is ancient.

  • Bluebell
  • Wood anemone
  • Wood sorrel
  • Yellow archangel
  • Wild garlic
  • Early purple orchid
  • Primrose
For a full list of plants indicative of ancient woodland click here.

The presence of ancient woodland indicator species does not necessarily mean that the woodland is definitely ancient. You must also look to see if it has other ancient woodland characteristics, such as:

  • Glades
  • Ponds
  • Pollards
  • Old coppice stools
  • Ancient wood banks
  • High proportion of dead wood
  • Boundary ditches
  • Boundaries are irregular shape
  • Runs along a stream
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