Hairy eyebright

Description

Euphrasia lasianthera, commonly known as hairy eyebright, is a perennial herb species in the family Orobanchaceae. It is endemic to Victoria, Australia. Plants grow to 30 cm high and have leaves with margins that may be smooth or toothed. The flowers may be white, pink or pale purple. The species was first formerly described by botanist W.R. Barker in Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens in 1982. It is listed as "Rare" on the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Advisory List of Rare Or Threatened Plants In Victoria. Euphrasia, or eyebright, is a genus of about 450 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae (formerly included in the Scrophulariaceae), with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are semi-parasitic on grasses and other plants. The common name refers to the plant's use in treating eye infections. Many species are found in alpine or sub-alpine meadows where snow is common. Flowers usually are borne terminally, are zygomorphic, and have a lower petal shaped like a lip. The most common flower colours are purple, blue-white, and violet. Some species have yellow markings on the lower petal to act as a guide to pollinating insects. Alternative names, mainly in herbalism, are Augentrostkraut, Euphrasiae herba, Herba Euphrasiae and Herbe d'Euphraise.