DIDYNAM1A Jngiospermia.
G en. Ch a r. Cal. cylindrical, 4-toothed, equal. Upper
lip of the corolla divided; lower of 3 cloven lobes.
Anther & bearded with unequal spines. Caps, ovate-
oblong. Seeds striated.
S p e c . C h a r . Leaves ovate, furrowed, sharply toothed.
Sy n. Euphrasia officinalis. Linn.- Sp. PI. 841. Sm.
FI. Brit, 650. Huds. 269. With. 543. Hull. 136.
Relh. 242. Sibth. 192. Abbot. 134. Curt. Lond.
fasc. 5. t. 42. Woodv. Suppl. t. 220.
Euphrasia. Raii Syn. *284.
F a M ’D Euphrasy may not b e le ft unsung,
T h a t gives dim eyes to wander leagues around.”
So at least thought Shenstone’s shool-mistress, and we wish
experience could confirm the tale of antient times, which
seems to have arisen from the brillant eye-like blossoms of
this little plant, which do indeed attract the sight at a considerable
distance; and their beauty gratifies the sense, it their
virtues cannot supply the defect of it.
Root small, fibrous and annual. Stem from 2 to 4 or 5
inches high, various in luxuriance, generally branching from
the bottom, rough, often purplish. Leaves sessile, ovate,
deeply toothed or serrated, rough, marked with strong lines
where the veins run. Flowers about the top of the stem,
axillary, sessile, solitary. Calyx angular, rough. Corolla
various in size and colour, generally white striped with
purple, and stained with yellow in front. It is often remarkable
for size and beauty in dwarf plants, and in alpine
situations. Each of the antherse is armed with an unequal
pair of spines at bottom. The s.eeds are few, small, striated,
slightly angular.
Eye-bright grows on dry mountainous barren ground, and
flowers throughout the autumn.