Euphrasia collina ssp. collina

Purple Eyebright

Upright hairless perennial herb or sub-shrub, branching well above ground level. Semi-parasitic, swellings on rootlets often connecting to other plants. Four of the many subspecies do, or did, occur locally.

Additional information

FamilyOrobanchaceae (syn. Scropulariaceae)
StoreyLower storey
Size20-80 cm x 20-50 cm
Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
LeavesLeaves paired, narrow, upper leaves 4.5-16.5 mm x 1.5-4.4 mm, usually 1 pair of teeth, sometimes 2, at the end.
Flower colourWhite, purple, blue or pink
Flowering timeAugust to February
FlowersTerminal spike-like flowerhead of 2-lipped flowers, tips of upper lobes curved back, yellow blotch behind lowest lobe. Lower lobes hairy on back, notched on tips. Calyx 4 lobed, hairless.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsMoist well drained soil in open forests and heathy woodland. Full sun, semi shade. Limited distribution, this species may have disappeared from the Shire.
Garden useA delightful little plant which is difficult to propagate and cultivate.
Commercially availableNever
Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites, probably disappeared from most of these. Collected in 1986. Scattered in Victoria.
Related speciesEuphrasia collina ssp. paludosa - reported from the Dandenongs and probably locally extinct. Differs from ssp. collina in that leaves are larger 5.5-23 mm x 2.4-8 mm with 1-3 pairs of teeth (but up to 6 pairs) either at the end or along the length of the leaf. Lower floral lobes blunt or straight. Branches develop from ground level. Occurred in moist areas of wet forest.