Spanish bluebell
Hyacinthoides hispanica
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Photo credit: GBNNSS
Hyacinthoides hispanica - Spanish bluebell
Habitat:
- Roadsides, edge of woodland areas, parks
- Also found in churches, cemeteries and wastelands
Description:
- Broader leaves than native bluebell
- Flowers are paler blue than native species and scentless
- Hybrids can have characteristics between the native and spanish bluebell
Origin and Distribution:
- Native to west Iberian Peninsula and north Africa
- Naturalised in south and west Europe
- Established in Belgium, Germany and Norway
Impacts:
- Hybridisation with native bluebell diluting the native species
- Outcompeting native bluebell for space and light
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is found in Northern Ireland. Distribution maps can be found at NBN Atlas Northern Ireland
How did it get here?
- Planted in the wild or thrown out with garden waste
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Prevent Spread
- Promote native species and biodiversity - use alternative, native plants
- Know what you are buying/growing and source native Irish seed and plants
- Do not swap plants and cuttings
- Follow control advice and watch out for hitchhikers - inspect new imported purchases for invasive pest and pathogens
- Never collect plants from the wild
- Safe disposal of plant material and growing media
- Report all sightings.
Current Legislation Position (Northern Ireland only):
- Hyacinthoides hispanica is listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and as such, under Article 15 it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause this species to grow in the wild.