Photographs: Ballingeary, Co.Cork

Common Eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa Glanrosc Family: Scrophulariaceae Flowering: July-September. Semi-parasitic annual. Native. Lipped flowers, lower lip usually white (sometimes lilac), upper lip white or lilac. Erect stems, branched from middle of stem, 1-9 pairs, shorter than main stem. Sometimes branched again. Glossy, dark-green leaves. 5-20cm. Very variable. "The photographs are probably E. arctica x nemorosa. Difficult to identify from E. nemorosa and frequently replaces E. nemorosa and E. arctica in western areas." Alan Silverside. Pastures, heathland, dunes, marginal ground.

Below: Nutrient-starved specimen compared to a plant with more usual growth habit (shown above).

    
Photographs above: Near Ballingeary, Co.Cork. August 2007

(The photographs are possibly E. arctica x nemorosa. Difficult to identify from pure E. nemorosa and frequently replaces E. nemorosa and E. arctica in western areas.)