Euphrasia confusa Confused Eyebright

A short, bushy, much branched eyebright with long branches near the base and flowers which are smaller than those of Arctic Eyebright (Euphrasia arctica). It occurs in lots of habitats, acidic and calcareous, including well-drained short grassland and heathland as well as in open habitats such as sand dunes and open mosaic sites. It is more common in the west and north of Britain where it is, perhaps, a predominantly upland species, but it is not uncommon in coastal areas of Wales. It is often quite distinctive but it forms hybrids with Common Eyebright (Euphrasia nemorosa) and Arctic Eyebright, which can make identification difficult. All 3 species probably consitute a single outbreeding group. In West Glamorgan it appears to be more common in the upland areas of the South Wales Coalfield with few records from Gower.

Native