THE TORTOISE TABLE
Bluebell
© www.thetortoisetable.org.uk
English and Spanish Bluebells - how do you tell the difference?
English and Spanish
Bluebells have the ability to
cross-pollinate and to
hybridise.
English Bluebell
(Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Normally found growing in shady areas
and woodland and not often on open
ground.
English bluebells have fairly thin leaves
usually between 0.7-1.5cm wide (about
¼-¾in), although occasionally up to
2cm (¾in).
The flowers are a distinctive deep blue
colour. The petals are bell-shaped, with
curved sides and are curled back at the
tips.
If you look closely inside the flower you
will notice that the anthers are creamywhite in colour.
inside the flower the anthers will be seen
to be pale to dark blue.
The flowers can be on one side but the
majority are on all sides of stem which is
more upright and thicker.
The flowers are usually arranged down
one side of stem, giving a lovely
drooping appearance. They also have a
sweet aroma.
Unlike the English Bluebell there is no
aroma.
Spanish Bluebell
(Hyacinthoides hispanica)
Normally found growing in gardens in
the UK, on open ground, and rarely in
woodland.
To prevent hibridisation it is a
The leaves are thicker and fleshy and
may be up to 3-3.5cm (about 1¼in)
across.
Bluebells in gardens in the UK
good idea not to grow Spanish
otherwise we may be in danger
The flowers are usually a lighter blue
of
colour and they open more widely than
the English Bluebell. The petal tips are
normally splayed and maybe curled back
but only slightly. On closer examination
losing our own native species.
Spring time means it’s Bluebell time in woods in the UK and for us at the TTT it is one of our favourite times of
the year when we see that wonderful carpet of blue under the trees.
Now, unfortunately, the English Bluebell has become endangered, due to the introduction of the Spanish
Bluebell in the UK. The Spanish Bluebell, although very pretty, is an invasive species, which is hybridising our
native flower. © The Tortoise Table 2013. All rights reserved
Difference between English and Spanish Bluebell
It is important to note that the glycosides present in both the English and the Spanish Bluebell
make them unsuitable as food for tortoises and could result in an adverse reaction if fed.
English Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
© The Tortoise Table 2013. All rights reserved