Euphrasia officinalis L.
Eyebright
Eyebright is a small native annual that is partially parasitic, tapping the roots of grasses and other neighbours for water and nutrients while still making its own food by photosynthesis. The name covers an aggregate of closely related, hard-to-separate microspecies.
About
Eyebright is a small native annual that is partially parasitic, tapping the roots of grasses and other neighbours for water and nutrients while still making its own food by photosynthesis. The name covers an aggregate of closely related, hard-to-separate microspecies. Typically only a few centimetres to around 20cm tall, it is a dainty, often branched plant with small, toothed leaves and tiny two-lipped flowers, usually white or lilac-tinted, marked with fine purple veins and a yellow spot on the lower lip that guides insects to nectar.
It grows in short, low-fertility grassland, including meadows, downland, lightly grazed pasture, heaths and verges, often on well-drained or calcareous soils, flowering from early summer through to autumn. Because it is hemiparasitic on grasses, it helps reduce their vigour and so can open up sward for other wildflowers, which makes it a useful, if delicate, component of species-rich meadow mixes and grassland restoration on suitably low-nutrient ground.
Also known as
Eyebright [Euphrasia officinalis] · Rostkov's Eyebright
Synonyms
Euphrasia depauperata · Euphrasia filifolia · Euphrasia multicuspidata · Euphrasia stricta
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.