Euphrasia arguta is an erect, semi-parasitic annual herb growing between 20-45 cm in height. Branches are densely hairy with recurved stiff, non-glandular hairs. The plant has 18-30 pairs of leaves along each stem. Leaves are in pairs opposite to each other, with adjacent pairs arranged at right angles. Individual leaves have no stalks, are ovate to elliptical in shape and 7-15 mm in length, 3.5-13 mm wide, with two to four pairs of long, slender ‘tooth-like’ projections. The leaf surface can be either rough or smooth, and with or without deeply lobed margins.
Euphrasia arguta |
Euphrasia arguta
Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Euphrasia arguta
The largest population; containing more than 90 of known individuals; is threatened by road maintenance and clearing of roadside vegetation for fire breaks; such that the species geographic distribution is precarious for its survival (TSSC; 2010).