Euphrasia collina ssp. muelleri

Purple Eyebright

Upright perennial herb or sub-shrub, sometimes hairs on lower branches, leaves and calyx. Branching at ground level. Semi-parasitic, swellings on rootlets often connecting to other plants.

Additional information

• FamilyOrobanchaceae (syn. Scropulariaceae)
• StoreyLower storey
• Size9-41 cm high
• Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
• LeavesLeaves paired, upper leaves 6-14 mm long, usually 1-4 pairs of teeth at the end.
• Flower colourWhite, purple, blue or pink
• Flowering timeOctober to December
• FlowersTerminal spike-like flowerhead of 2-lipped flowers, tips of upper lobes curved back. Lower lobes, bracts and 4-lobed calyx minutely hairy on the back, floral lobes usually notched on tips.
• Bird attractingNo
• Butterfly attractingNo
• Frog habitatNo
• Growing conditionsMoist heathy woodland. Presumed extinct within the Shire.
• Garden useA delightful little plant which is difficult to propagate and cultivate.
• Commercially availableNever
• Conservation statusPresumed extinct within the Shire. Very rare now throughout its range in Victoria. Possibly occurred in 19 Long-leaf Box Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23),.
• Related speciesEuphrasia collina ssp. trichocalycina - differs from the above in that hairs on the bracts and back of the calyx are glandular, branching on flowering branches continues up the stem. Plant is taller, to 62 cm high. Leaves 5-16 mm long have 0-2 pairs of teeth.

Photo Gallery

(JPG, 2MB)

(JPG, 175KB)

Plant Communities