Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

Associated Species Action Plans

None

Associated Habitat action plans

Woodland

Hedgerow

Bluebell is a perennial herb belonging to the Lily family and is found in shaded or semi-shaded conditions frequently carpeting the woodland floor in the spring.

Bluebell is an 'Atlantic' species not reaching further east than western Germany and absent from Scandinavia. Widely distributed and common throughout the United Kingdom, bluebell is of international importance as 25-49% of the world population is found in the UK. It is intolerant of trampling, heavy grazing, water logging, deep shade and competing with vigorous grasses.

In Birmingham and the Black Country bluebell is often common on sandy lenses or light acid soils in woods and bracken-dominated scrub and is also found in other habitats - hedgerows, verges, well drained grassland. Of the 516 records of bluebell in the EcoRecord database that contain associated habitat information, 65% are found in woodland, with 16% being recorded from hedgerows. Other habitats supporting bluebell are scrub (6%), grassland (8%) and tall herbs (2%). A recent study has found that bluebell is not a reliable indicator of ancient woodland in this area, being found as frequently in secondary woodland (EcoRecord). Bluebells are found in 83% of ancient woodland and associated habitats and 81% of secondary woodland and associated habitats (EcoRecord).

The native bluebell can be confused with the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) which is widely planted. The two species may hybridise where the parent species grow together (Hyacinthoides hispanica x non-scripta) (see Appendix for identification details).

Habitat loss, particularly woodland and hedgerows
Climate change
Bulb removal for gardens
Trampling
Competition and hybridisation with Spanish bluebell

3.1 Legal status

Bluebells are protected through general provisions in the Wildlife and Countryside 1981 which make it illegal to intentionally uproot a wild plant. The same Act does not list bluebell amongst the plants receiving the highest level of protection but does makes it illegal to sell or offer bluebells for sale.

3.2 Management, research and guidance

Currently there are no specific projects relating to bluebell being carried out in this area.

Birmingham and Black Country Flora Project / Flora 2000 Project will provide information on the status and distribution of flora, including bluebell.

OBJECTIVE	TARGET
Maintain existing populations as components of woodland and derived habitats.	Ongoing
Extend associated habitats to improve the status and widen distribution.	Ongoing
Raise awareness of the international importance of bluebells.	Ongoing
Establish the impact of Spanish bluebell on populations of native bluebell.	By 2004

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS							Meets Objective No.
ACTION	Lead	Partner	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2011	Meets Objective No.
5.1 Policy and legislation	None proposed
5.2 Site safeguard and management
Review the status of habitat areas containing extensive populations of bluebell and consider the allocation of SINC/SLINC status	EN	WT, LA								1
Extend the area of existing woodland 'fragments' so that they have a long term future as viable and functioning ecosystems	LA	NUFU, WT, EN, CC								2
5.3 Species management and protection
Consider removal of Spanish bluebell at selected sites where both species occur.	LA	WT, EN, LO								1
Ensure action for bluebell management is considered in all woodland, hedgerow and garden management plans. Undertake management to minimise trampling where this is a problem (e.g. deterrence with brushwood, defining desire lines with branches)	LA	WT, BTCV, EN, LO								1
5.4 Advisory
Publicise international importance of bluebells	WT	LA, EN, NUFU								3
Ensure that surveyors are briefed on the characteristics of native and Spanish bluebell to ensure accurate records	WT	LA, EN								4
Publicise inappropriate/illegal actions that cause damage to bluebell e.g. Trampling causes most damage to bluebells - Bluebells should not be dug up	LA, WT	EN								1,3
5.5 Future research and monitoring
Monitor status of native and Spanish bluebell at selected sites to determine long-term relationship	WT	ER, LA, EN								4
Select habitats containing both species and investigate the associated abiotic factors and management practices	ALL	ALL								4
Undertake a monitoring programme to establish the population sizes of bluebell in selected areas	ALL	ALL								1
5.6 Communications and publicity
Exchange information on the ecology of bluebell within UK and within Europe	EN	LA, WT, ER
Ensure knowledge regarding threats to bluebell populations (habitat loss, trampling, removal, etc.) is publicised	ALL	ALL								1,2
Encourage garden centres and nurseries to grow and supply native bluebells	ALL	ALL								2
Encourage the planting of bluebell in the creation of new woodland areas	NUFU	ALL								2
5.7 Links to other action plans
Woodland, hedgerow

This Biodiversity Action Plan will be implemented over 10 years with a first review after 5 years. A group will be set up to co-ordinate implementation and to report to the Biodiversity Steering Group. This group will meet at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Review will be carried out in conjunction with related Habitat and Species Action Plans as appropriate.

Review will consist of measuring achievement of targets. The group will, with the support of the Steering Group, develop and implement appropriate monitoring methods which will inform the review process.

The Action Plan will be revised and updated in the light of review results and any relevant changes in circumstances and/or additional information which becomes available during the review period.

In line with national guidance, the Steering Group will report to the UK Steering Group.

Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)	Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanicus)
Raceme drooping at tip	Raceme erect
Raceme unilateral	Raceme not-unilateral
Perianth segments violet blue, ±parallel below	Perianth segments paler, spreading like a Campanula
Anthers cream	Anthers blue
Filaments outer inserted about middle of perianth, inner lower	Filaments all inserted about middle of perianth
Leaves narrower, 7-15 mm	Leaves broader, 10-35 mm

Printing of this publication for educational purposes is permitted, provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial gain, and the title of the publication and its date appear. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires specific permission from the Steering Group.