Gentians, Bellflowers and Lilies
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Gentians, Bellflowers and Lilies
Outside of orchids I expect gentains, bellflowers and lilies cause the most excitement amongst plant enthusiasts. The British flora does not have that many native members of the gentian and bellflower families but he numbers are boosted by some garden varieties that have escaped in to countryside. Gentian and bellflowers often have large, bell shaped flowers. With lilies I have included the onion and asparagus families as some have lily as part of their common names.
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Tap/click the icon to open the book and start reading. There is one species per page and you can swipe right to page forward and swipe left to go back (arrows are provided for those without a touch screen). |
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18| Species featured in this book | Scientific Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Early Gentian | Gentianella anglica | Early Gentian: in the lime light |
| Marsh Gentian | Gentiana pneumonanthe | Marsh Gentian: the trumpet major |
| Common Centaury | Centaurium erythraea | Common Centaury: neither man nor beast |
| Yellow-wort | Blackstonia perfoliata | Yellow-wort: Madame Tausaud |
| Harebell | Campanula rotundifolia | Harebell: the Scottish bluebell |
| Clustered Bellflower | Campanula glomerata | Clustered Bellflower: the Danes blood |
| Nettle-leaved Bellflower | Campanula trachelium | Nettle-leaved Bellflower: ring out the chime |
| Ramsons | Allium ursinum | Ramsons: come to your senses |
| Three Cornered Leek | Allium triquetrum | Three Cornered Leek: a triple treat |
| Crow Garlic | Allium vineale | Wild Onion: crow garlic |
| Wild Daffodil | Narcissus pseudonarcissus | Wild Daffodil: true or false |
| Snowdrop | Galanthus nivalis | Snowdrop: the milk flower |
| Bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | Bluebell: home thoughts from abroad |
| Solomons-seal | Polygonatum multiflorum | Solomons-seal: ladder to heaven |
| Herb-paris | Paris quadrifolia | Herb-Paris: the true lovers knot |
| Butchers-broom | Ruscus aculeatus | Butchers-broom: for healthy legs! |
| Yellow Iris | Iris pseudacorus | Yellow Iris: the yellow flag |
| Lords-and-Ladies | Arum maculatum | Lords and Ladies: the name game |
This book is made up of the segments listed below. Click the segment title for information about specie within that segment.
| Segment | Description |
|---|---|
| Asparagus Family Asparagaceae |
A real mixed bag of species but all members of the same family. Some may look as though they would be more at home in other families, the bluebell in the bellflowers for example. Some of the family are 'normal' fleshy species whilst others are woody. Be prepared for the unexpected! |
| Bellflower Family Campanulaceae |
Bellfowers get their name from their bell shaped flowers - no surprise there then! Actually, not all the family have bell shaped flowers but most do. What they do have in common is that all of the family members have blue flowers. Being lovely plants one or two species that might be encountered are from gardens and not native. |
| Gentian Family Gentianaceae |
After orchids I would image gentians are the next most charismatic family of flowers. In Dorset we have some larger but scarce gentians which attract attention but the family includes the centaury group which have smaller flowers and are probably less exciting to the flower hunters. |
| Onion Family Alliaceae |
Wild onions, leeks and garlics plus a couple of surprises all fall within the Alliaceae. Usually a single stem supports the cluster of flowers at the top. In onions and leeks this tends to be a globe whereas in leeks they are a collection of larger flowers all falling downwards to one side. Most have the strong smell associated with culinary versions. |
