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Cumbrian Eyebright

Euphrasia rivularis

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Orobanchaceae (Broomrape)
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
50 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Cliffs, grassland, meadows, mountains, riversides, rocky places, waterside.

Flower:
֍
Purple, 5 petals
 
Lilac flowers, sometimes white. The lower lip is 3-lobed. Each lobe is notched at the tip. Flowers measure 7 to 9mm across.
Fruit:
The fruit is a capsule.
Leaves:
A densely hairy annual flower with small oval, toothed, unstalked leaves, appearing in opposite pairs along the stems. Grows on mountain flushes.
Other Names:
Snowdon Eyebright.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Euphrasia rivularis is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to Europe and is known for its medicinal properties. The plant is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including eye irritation, conjunctivitis, and other eye disorders. It is also used to treat respiratory and digestive problems. It is a perennial herb that grows to be about 15-50 cm tall, with small pink or purple flowers. The leaves are oblong in shape and grow in opposite pairs. The plant is commonly found in grassy meadows and pastures near rivers or streams.

Blog

Cumbrian Eyebright: A Rare and Beautiful Wildflower

Euphrasia rivularis, also known as the Cumbrian Eyebright, is a rare and beautiful wildflower that can be found in the Cumbria region of England. This wildflower is a member of the Orobanchaceae family and is closely related to the popular herb, Eyebright. It is a small, delicate plant that grows to a height of 10-30 cm and has a distinctive, pale yellow flower with purple veins.

One of the key features of the Cumbrian Eyebright is its rarity. This wildflower is considered to be endangered, and it is estimated that there are only a few thousand plants remaining in the wild. This is due to habitat loss and degradation, as well as the pressures of grazing and collection by plant hunters.

Despite its rarity, the Cumbrian Eyebright is a highly prized plant for its beauty and for the important role it plays in the ecosystem. This wildflower is a critical food source for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. In addition, it is also an important component of the delicate ecosystem in the Cumbrian region, providing shelter and habitat for a variety of other wildlife species.

The Cumbrian Eyebright is a versatile plant that can grow in a variety of habitats, including rocky slopes, streamsides, and damp meadows. It is also highly adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, making it ideal for gardening enthusiasts who want to include it in their own gardens.

When growing the Cumbrian Eyebright, it is important to ensure that it is planted in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. The plant prefers a moist soil, but it can also tolerate periods of drought. Additionally, it is important to keep the plant free from weeds, as these can compete for nutrients and water.

The Cumbrian Eyebright is a rare and beautiful wildflower that is highly prized for its beauty and its importance in the ecosystem. With its adaptability and ease of growth, it is an ideal plant for gardening enthusiasts and wildflower lovers. By protecting and preserving this rare plant, we can help ensure that it continues to thrive in the Cumbrian region for generations to come.

In addition to its beauty and ecological importance, the Cumbrian Eyebright also has a rich cultural history. The plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and it was believed to have the power to cure eye infections and improve vision. The plant gets its name from its traditional use as an herbal remedy for eye problems, and it was commonly used by healers and herbalists in the Cumbrian region.

Despite its long history of use in traditional medicine, the Cumbrian Eyebright has not been extensively studied for its medicinal properties. However, recent research has shown that the plant does contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. These compounds could potentially be used to develop new treatments for eye infections and other inflammatory conditions.

In addition to its medicinal properties, the Cumbrian Eyebright is also an important plant for biodiversity conservation. The Cumbrian region is home to a rich and diverse array of flora and fauna, and the preservation of this plant is critical to maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Conservation organizations, such as the Cumbrian Wildlife Trust, are working to protect and restore the habitats of this and other endangered species in the region.

If you are interested in preserving the Cumbrian Eyebright and other wildflowers in the Cumbrian region, there are several things you can do. You can support conservation organizations and their efforts to protect and restore habitats, and you can also include the Cumbrian Eyebright in your own garden. By doing so, you can help ensure that this beautiful and important plant continues to thrive for generations to come.

The Cumbrian Eyebright is a rare and beautiful wildflower that is not only beautiful but also has a rich cultural history and ecological importance. By protecting and preserving this plant, we can help ensure that it continues to thrive in the Cumbrian region for generations to come. Whether you are a wildflower lover or a gardener, the Cumbrian Eyebright is a plant that is definitely worth checking out.

Finally, it's also important to note that the Cumbrian Eyebright is a protected species in the United Kingdom. This means that it is illegal to collect or remove the plant from the wild without proper permits and permissions. If you are interested in obtaining Cumbrian Eyebright for your garden or for scientific study, it is recommended that you purchase it from a reputable grower or supplier.

In addition, it is important to respect the habitats of the Cumbrian Eyebright and other wildflowers. When visiting areas where the plant grows, be sure to stay on designated trails and avoid disturbing the plant or its habitat. This will help to protect the plant and ensure that it continues to thrive in the Cumbrian region.

In conclusion, the Cumbrian Eyebright is a rare and beautiful wildflower that is not only beautiful but also has a rich cultural history, ecological importance, and medicinal properties. By protecting and preserving this plant, we can help ensure that it continues to thrive in the Cumbrian region for generations to come. Whether you are a wildflower lover, gardener, or scientist, the Cumbrian Eyebright is a plant that is definitely worth protecting and preserving.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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