Bluebells (Hyacinthoides Nonscripta) Identification

Bluebells / Spring / Poisonous

Common names

Bluebell


Botanical Name

Hyacinthoides Nonscripta


Known Hazards

The whole plant is toxic


Could be confused with

Three cornered leek, Snow drops when young shoots are emerging


Range and Distribution

Fairly common throughout UK and Western Europe. 


Habitat

Woodland garden in dappled shade, shady edges of woods  and  hedgerows. 


Physical Characteristics of Bluebells


Leaf

A small bulb growing into long thin waxy leaves which are C shaped veins.


Flowers

It has bell-like flowers, each flower with 6 blue/lilac petals.

Bluebell flowers

Smell

This plant has a pleasant floral smell


Edible Use

This plant is toxic, do not eat. 


Herbal

The bulb has diuretic properties and can help stop bleeding


Miscellaneous

It can take years for bluebells to recover from damage by footfall, if the leaves are crushed they cannot photosynthesize and starve and die.
Consuming bluebells can cause severe gastric upset which in some cases can be fatal.

Identification is key!

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