Euphrasia Eyebright

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Eyebright
Scientific name	Euphrasia
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Lamiales
Family	Orobanchaceae
Type	Small flowering herb, partly parasitic
Habitat	Chalky pastures, moist grasslands, meadows
Native range	Worldwide, including alpine meadows
Colours	Lilac, white or purple flowers with veins
Flowering season	July to September
Height	2–8 inches

Euphrasia or Eyebright fits in the genus comprising of 450 varieties of an herbal variety of blossoming plants, from the Orobanchaceae family (earlier it belonged to the Scrophulariaceae family), and it has a cosmopolitan distribution. These herbs are partially parasites living on other plants or grasses. Eyebright is the usual name by which it is called because of the treatment of infections related to the eye. Several varieties are established in the snowy meadows of subordinate or mainland regions of the Alpines. Normally they bear flowers at the terminus, they are zygomorphic, and they possess lower petals just like a lip.

History

Anatomy

The height to which the Eyebright grows is 2-8 inches. It is wiry and upright. In specimens that are small, there are no branches or otherwise they have several branches, opposite to each other. The length of the leaves, extends from 1/6 to ½ inches and width almost ¼ inch, oriented in opposite directions on the bottom of the stem and above, they are oriented in an alternate manner, most of them are in the shape of a lance and rarely much broader than mentioned earlier. They have 4 to 5 serrations on either side. The flowers are colored lilac, white or purple with veins, spiked at the terminals, interspersed with leaf-like bracts.

Habitat

Chalky pastures and moist grasslands are ideal for the growth of the Eyebrights. On the grass they are partially parasitic. Hence the places where they thrive are high ranges, grassy regions and meadows.

Soil

Make the soil loose to almost 1 inch deep, either by joining your fingers together or by a rake. Scatter the seeds on the loosened soil. Eyebright seeds being delicate, avoid too much pressure on it. Disperse the seeds around the host grasses, depress the seeds confidently into the soil and spread loosened soil on it.

Temperature and Humidity

Keep them away from a humid climate and from direct sunlight, maintain the temperature at 50 to 77°F (10 to 25°C)

Planting

These seasonal herbs grow to heights of 2 to 8 inches, having profound cut leaves and flowers, purple or white in color, with yellow variations. It was formerly placed in the Figwort group of plants. Its flowers bloom between July and September. Every upright stem has branches opposite to each other and leaves of length ½ inches. The flowers grow on the apex of the spokes having a double lipped corolla.

Watering

Maintaining the Eyebright dry in April and the first half of May is the best system of watering, agreeable to them, for enhancing the growth, water very frequently. When the weather is gloomy and cold, do not water them.

Uses

Eyebright is traditionally described as astringent and anti-inflammatory. The traditional cure of eye diseases was by the use of this Eyebright, it tightens the mucous membrane about the eyes. Eyebright has traditionally been used for eye complaints such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis, and for excess mucus related to sinusitis and colds, but there is no good evidence that it works. Eyebright should not be put into the eyes, because home preparations can carry germs and cause infection; anyone with an eye problem should see a doctor.

Pests & Diseases

Often they are free of pests; however, rarely they are affected by aphids and powdery mildew.

Eyebright FAQs