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Common bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Photo: MichaelMaggs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 2 countries flower symbol: United Kingdom

Common bluebell

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Family: Asparagaceae

On our map this plant appears in 2 countries and ranks highest in: Belgium, United Kingdom.

The common bluebell is a bulbous perennial with narrow, fleshy leaves and one-sided, nodding sprays of fragrant, blue-violet, bell-shaped flowers. It blooms in April and early May, before beeches and oaks come into leaf and shade the forest floor. It is an Atlantic species, growing naturally only in western Europe, and its dense carpets are a sign of ancient, continuously wooded land. The whole plant is poisonous, and its sticky sap was once used to make bookbinding glue.

Description from: Belgium.

More: Wikipedia (en) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Belgium no. 2 of 8 native

    The Hallerbos in Halle, known as the “blue forest”, draws tens of thousands of tourists and photographers from all over the world during flowering time.

  2. United Kingdom no. 3 of 10 native

    Britain’s favourite wild flower in a Plantlife poll

    Britain is the main stronghold of this Atlantic species, and dense carpets of bluebells are regarded as an indicator of ancient woodland. The wild bluebell is protected by law – digging up and trading its bulbs is forbidden.