Orobanchaceae FAMILY

Euphrasia officinalis

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Euphrasia officinalis is an erect, hemiparasitic, annual plant that usually grows up to 15cm tall, though it can reach 50cm[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. Eyebright is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. The plant has a long history of herbal use in the treatment of eye problems and is still in current herbal use[ 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeW. Europe, including Britain, to E. Asia.

HabitatMoist grassland and chalky pastures, semi-parasitic on grass[ 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. , 7 Title Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. Publication Author Chiej. R. Publisher MacDonald Year 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5 Description Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs. ].