Eyebright
Euphrasia officinalis

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

An annual herb with an upright stem. It can grow 25 cm tall. The leaves are rounded and have teeth. They are less than 1 cm across. The flowers are small and white. They often have purple veins and a yellow throat. They have a 3 lobed lower lip.

There are about 200 - 450 Euphrasia species. They are partly parasitic on other plants. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in alpine meadows.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Balkans, Britain, Canada, Europe (country/location of origin), India, Macedonia, North America, Siberia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

It has been used to spice soup.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution, stems, flowers

How it is grown

Seed are scattered around host plants. Plants can be grown from seeds. It is best grown among grass as it is a semi parasite living on the roots of other plants.

Its other names

Local names

Casse Lunette, Meadow eyebright

Synonyms

Bartsia imbricata Lapeyr.; Euphrasia officinalis var. latifolia Britton; Euphrasia officinalis f. pygmaea Lange; Odontites caucasicus K. Koch;