Euphrasia stricta, commonly known as drug eyebright, is an annual herbaceous plant native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, heathlands, and open woodlands across Europe and Asia. It has also been introduced to northeastern North America. Typically, it thrives in well-drained, calcareous soils and is often found in areas with a moist microclimate, such as moorlands and dune slacks. Drug eyebright is a hemiparasite, meaning it obtains some of its nutrients by attaching to the roots of other plants, particularly grasses, without killing them.

This plant is characterized by its small stature, usually not exceeding a few inches in height, and bears tiny, white or purple-tinted flowers with a yellow spot on the lower lip, which bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy when in dense populations. Drug eyebright is valued in herbal medicine for its purported anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in treating eye conditions, although scientific support for these uses is not robust. In cultivation, it is not commonly found in gardens due to its parasitic nature and specific growing requirements, but it can be of interest to those creating wildlife-friendly or medicinal gardens. It prefers partial shade to full sun and requires a host plant for optimal growth. While not typically associated with significant problems, its parasitic lifestyle should be considered when introducing it to a garden setting.CC BY-SA 4.0