Bluebell
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
You
can send this image as an e-card
Few woodland sights equal that of a carpet of bluebells in Spring. The precise nature of the Bluebells flowering period, when all the buds on every plant burst open together, temporarily alters the appearance of the surroundings.
NAME
This species of Bluebell is native to the western, Atlantic part of
Europe. It was not known to the ancient Greek recorders of plants,
hence the species name of non-scripta,
meaning 'not written upon'.
HABITAT
woodland floors is native only to the lands fringing the Atlantic.
Native only to northwestern Europe.
woods, hedges, sea-cliffs; light, usually acid soils.
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
Type - perennial
Height - 50-500mm
Flowers - April-June
FLOWERS
General, 4-16, in stalked spike, 1-sided, drooping
not always blue, some plants bear pink or white flowers
Size - 15-20mm
Colour - violet-blue, rarely pink or white
Type - hermaphrodite nodding
STEMS, LEAVES and ROOTS
Stem - flowering stem upright, leafless
Leaves - all basal, 200-450mm, narrow, straight-sided, shiny
Root - bulb 20-30mm, egg-shaped
FLOWERS CLOSE UP
Bracts
- 2 under each flower, bluish
Stalk - shorter than flower,
Perianth - 6 lobes, 15-20mm, bases joined, almost bell-shaped, lobes
curved back
Stamens
- 6, unequal
Stigmas - 1; style fairly long
Sepals - 5, 120-175mm, joined into tube with pointed teeth
Ovary - 1, 3-celled
FRUIT
When in fruit the flower stalk lengthens and turns upright.
Type - 1, capsule, almost globular, splits into
3
Size - 10-15mm
Seeds
- several, 3-4mm blackish.