Mueller's Eyebright - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Euphrasia collina subsp. muelleri

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 06 Nov 2023

Description

This is a perennial, parasitic herb or subshrub, which grows to about 50 cm tall. The flowering stems, which die back annually, branch near ground level. Leaves are variable in shape on individual plants but are stalkless and toothed to some extent (usually 2 - 3 opposite pairs with a tooth at the tip). Flower spikes grow at the ends of branches. Each individual flower comprises a 4-lobed green calyx (the ‘base’ of the flower) and a 5-lobed purple tube. The outer surface of the calyx is hairy overall, unlike some other subspecies of Euphrasia collina, but the hairs are not glandular.

Distribution

Once widespread in south-eastern Australia, Mueller’s Eyebright is now known only from the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne. In NSW it was recorded more than 100 years ago in the upper Murray and McIntyre Rivers and near Dorrigo and Cootamundra. The only NSW collections in the past 50 years were made in the vicinity of the Tinderry Range between Canberra and Cooma (1970) and between Uralla and Tamorth (1987).

Habitat and ecology

Little is known about the habitat this species preferred, although there is a reference to "damp places" in an early von Mueller collection. Extant populations in Victoria occur in heathy woodland.
Flowering has generally been recorded in spring and early summer, although the flowering collection from Dorrigo in 1904 was made in July. The most recent collection in NSW (Tinderry Range and Tamworth area) were made with flowers and fruit in late December / early January.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Until surviving populations of Mueller’s Eyebright are found in NSW threats to the species are difficult to quantify.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Searches are required in areas known to have been occupied by Mueller’s Eyebright.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) Recovery Plan for the 'lost' threatened flora of south-east NSW. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW)
Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1999) Flora of Victoria; Volume 4, Dicotyledons Cornaceae to Asteraceae. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Eastern Nandewars	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Yarrowyck-Kentucky Downs	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Predicted	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Kybeyan-Gourock	Predicted	None

Images

<em>Euphrasia collina</em> subsp. <em>Paludosa</em> (which looks like Muelleri), Colin Totterdell

Euphrasia collina subsp. Paludosa (which looks like Muelleri), Colin Totterdell Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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