Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Lamiales Bromhead
Family
Orobanchaceae
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Euphrasia L., Sp. Pl. 604 (1753)
Synonymy:
  • = Anagosperma (Hook.f.) Wettst.
  • = Siphonidium J.B.Armstr., Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 13: 340 (1880 [1881])
Vernacular Name(s):
Eyebright
 Description

Annual or perennial semi-parasitic herbs; stems either erect and sometimes woody at base, or slender and prostrate and then often rooting at the nodes. Lower and upper lvs similar or dissimilar, opposite or upper subopposite, usually toothed, sometimes glandular. Fls usually in bracteate, terminal spikes or racemes, sometimes solitary in the axils of leaflike bracts. Calyx tubular or campanulate, with 4 equal lobes and equal or unequal clefts between. Corolla tube short or long, funnelform; limb 2-lipped; upper lip hooded or grooved, ± 2-lobed; lower lip with 3, usually emarginate lobes. Stamens 4, equal or unequal; anthers awned at base; cells parallel. Fr. a loculicidal capsule, laterally compressed. Seeds numerous, usually oblong or fusiform, furrowed, very small; wing 0.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Euphrasia L.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Endemic)16
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Total17
 Bibliography
Armstrong, J.B. 1881: Descriptions of new and rare New Zealand plants. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 13: 335–343.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.