Euphrasia micrantha, Reichenb.

33. E. micrantha Reichenb. , FI. Germ. Excurs. 358 (1831)

( E. gracilis (Fries) Drejer ).

Plant usually strongly tinged with purple. Stem up to 25 cm, erect, slender, with (0-)2-7(-10) pairs of slender, erect branches. Cauline internodes usually 2-4 times, the lower floral l j- 2|(-3) times as long as the leaves. Lowest flower at node (4-)6-14(-16). Leaves glabrous or minutely scabrid, not darker beneath, the cauline 2—8(— 11) mm, narrowly ovate to obovate, with 1-6 pairs of usually subacute to acute teeth, the lower floral 3-5—7(—8) mm, ovate to rhombic, truncate or cuneate at base, with 3-6 pairs of acute to acuminate teeth. Corolla 4-5-6-5 mm, usually lilac to purple. Capsule 3-5(-6) mm, usually shorter than the calyx, more than twice as long as wide, oblong to elliptic-oblong, rounded to slightly emarginate. 2« = 44. Heaths, usually associated with Calluna vulgaris . • N. & C. Europe, extending southwards to N. Spain. Au Be Br?Co Cz Da Fa Fe Ga Ge Hb Ho Hs It No Po Rm Rs (B) Su.

Hybrids with 11(d), 12, 16, and 17 are common.

Plants derived from the hybrid 33 x 17 have been described as E. gratiosa Wiinst. , Bot. Tidsskr. 48: 103 (1946).

Hairy plants from W. Scotland (island of Rum), similar to 33 but with very small leaves and corolla and more or less emarginate capsule, have been described as E. rhumica Pugsley, Naturalist (Leeds) 1945: 41 (1945); they are possibly of hybrid origin.