131831 EYEBRIGHT Euphrasia officinalis agg. (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 25cm. Branched or unbranched annual, semi-parasitic on roots of other plants and sometimes tinged reddish. The plant’s appearance is extremely variable and 30 or so species are recognised. However, an expert eye and considerable experience is needed to discern the differences. Given the limited space available in this book, here all Eyebrights are considered as a single aggregate species. Grows in undisturbed grassy places. FLOWERS are 5-10mm long (depending on the ‘species’ involved), the corolla 2-lipped (the lower lip 3-lobed) and whitish (sometimes tinged pink) with purple veins and a yellow throat; borne in leafy spikes (May-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are oval but sharply toothed, sometimes tinged bronze. STATUS-Widespread and locally common.
