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Euphrasia spp.

eyebrights

Orobanchaceae

temperate and alpine regions of both hemispheres

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Euphrasia spp. is a genus of about 200 species of small hemiparasitic herbs in the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae), distributed through temperate and alpine regions of both hemispheres. Most species are annuals, growing 2 to 14 inches (5 to 35 cm) tall, with wiry, often branched stems and small, toothed leaves 0.2 to 0.6 inch (5 to 15 mm) long that are green to bronze-green. The flowers are two-lipped and 0.2 to 0.4 inch (5 to 10 mm) long, white to lilac or purple, with a yellow blotch on the lower lip and narrow purple veins that guide insects to the nectar. As hemiparasites, Euphrasia spp. plants produce their own chlorophyll but also attach to the roots of neighboring grasses and other plants through specialized structures called haustoria, drawing water and nutrients from the host. This dependence makes the genus difficult to grow in cultivation, as seedlings establish poorly without a suitable host nearby. Plants grow in nutrient-poor grasslands, heaths, fens, and alpine meadows, and several species have declined where these habitats have been fertilized or abandoned. Flowering runs from summer into early fall, and plants set abundant seed before dying.

Native Range

Euphrasia spp. occurs across temperate and cooler regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, including Europe, Asia, and North America, with a large concentration of species in New Zealand and southeastern Australia. Many species have narrow ranges tied to specific grassland or alpine habitats.

Suggested Uses

Euphrasia spp. is used in native grassland restoration and conservation meadows, where it is also planted to suppress vigorous grasses by parasitizing their roots. It suits naturalistic meadow and alpine plantings on poor soils. The genus is not suited to borders, containers, or any setting without host plants.

How to Identify

Identify Euphrasia spp. by its small size, wiry branched stems, and tiny toothed leaves. The two-lipped flowers, 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) long, are white to purple with a yellow throat blotch and narrow purple veins on the lower lip. Plants grow among grasses, to whose roots they attach.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'2"

Width/Spread2" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer Fall

Euphrasia spp. blooms from June through September, with many small flowers opening in succession up the stem. Flowering is heaviest in late summer in most species. Plants complete flowering and set seed within a single season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to lilac or purple, with a yellow throat and purple veins

Foliage Description

green to bronze-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Euphrasia spp. grows in full sun in low-fertility, well-drained soil among grasses and other host plants. As a hemiparasite, it depends on the roots of neighboring plants for part of its water and nutrients and rarely survives when grown alone. Seed is sown in autumn directly into established grassland, as it requires cold winter temperatures to germinate and seedlings must reach a host root quickly. Fertile or heavily fertilized soils favor competing grasses and reduce Euphrasia spp. populations. The genus does not transplant and cannot be grown in containers without a living host. Most species are annual and reseed each year to persist.

Pruning

Euphrasia spp. needs no pruning. As an annual hemiparasite, it dies back completely after setting seed, and the dead stems can be left in place to scatter seed for the following year. Surrounding grassland is mown only after the seed has dropped.