Euphrasia ''Euphrasia'', or eyebright, is a genus of about 450 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae (formerly included in the Scrophulariaceae), with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are semi-parasitic on grasses and other ...

striata'', commonly known as ‘shiny striped

eyebright ''Euphrasia'', or eyebright, is a genus of about 450 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae (formerly included in the Scrophulariaceae), with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are semi-parasitic on grasses and other ...

’ is an

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Tasmanian ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

species, which is a member of the

Scrophulariaceae The Scrophulariaceae are a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the figwort family. The plants are annual and perennial herbs, as well as shrubs. Flowers have bilateral (zygomorphic) or rarely radial (actinomorphic) symmetry. The Scr ...

family. The distinctive purple striations on the petals, from which the name was derived, are characteristic of the

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

Taxonomy

The

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

'' of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

consists of semi-

parasitic Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The entomologist E. O. Wilson has c ...

annual and

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

herbs and small shrubs. ''Euphrasia'' occur extensively in temperate regions across the globe, with twenty-two species found in Australia, all of which are endemic.Threatened Species Section (2011). ''Tasmanian lowland Euphrasia species Flora Recovery Plan''. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. ''Euphrasia'' is a prominent genus within the native flora of Tasmania and is relatively diverse across its nine native species

Description

''Euphrasia striata'' is a short, perennial herb which is unbranched above ground. It generally ranges from 5 – 20 cm in height and has a width of 20 – 30cm. Its leaves (measuring up to 9mm in length) are glossy, fleshy, opposite, widest at the top, prominently lobed with a pointed apex green and brownish purple in colour. Flowers have white

petals Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corolla''. Petals are usually ...

with three distinctive purple striations, a yellow patch within the throat of the corolla.,

anthers The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filam ...

with a short

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, and are arranged in terminal spikes. Flowering occurs from summer to autumn.

Fruit In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particu ...

takes the form of a pointed capsule between 4 and 6 mm long

Key distinguishing characteristics

Key characteristics distinguishing ''Euphrasia striata'' from other ''Euphrasia'' species: * Purple striations on petals * No hairs on the

stamens The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...

where anthers attach * Plant not branched above ground

Habitat and distribution

''Euphrasia striata'' is commonly occurring in

alpine Alpine may refer to any mountainous region. It may also refer to: Places Europe * Alps, a European mountain range ** Alpine states, which overlap with the European range Australia * Alpine, New South Wales, a Northern Village * Alpine National Pa ...

and sub-alpine areas., especially in the higher altitude grasslands of Tasmania’s central and southern highlands

Ecology

''Euphrasia striata'' prefers areas of open alpine

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

, which is maintained through exposure to harsh conditions such as strong winds and low temperatures. This habitat preference is explained by the requirement of light for seed

germination Germination is the process by which an organism grows from a seed or spore. The term is applied to the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm, the growth of a sporeling from a spore, such as the spores of fungi, fer ...

. ''Euphrasia striata'' is semi-parasitic, forming a non-specific relationship with hosts during seedling establishment. This semi-parasitic nature helps the species survive the harsh conditions it often inhabits.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15323297 striata Endemic flora of Tasmania