Christ’s Eye
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(Pentanema oculus-christi)
Christ’s Eye (Pentanema oculus-christi)
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Patrick Hacker
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Patrick Hacker
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Patrick Hacker | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Patrick Hacker | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2022-10-26T16:03:05-07:00 |
Summary
Pentanema oculus-christi, commonly known as Christ's Eye, is an annual herb native to alpine meadows and grassy slopes in Europe and the Caucasus. It is a small plant, typically growing to a height of 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) with a similar width. Christ's Eye has a slender, erect stem and bears tiny, scallop-edged leaves. The flowers are small, white to purplish with yellow spots and a black center, resembling an eye, which bloom from late spring to early fall. The flowers are not particularly showy but have a delicate charm appreciated in wildflower gardens.
Christ's Eye is valued for its historical use in herbal medicine, particularly for eye-related conditions, although scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited. In cultivation, it is often used in rock gardens, as part of wildflower meadows, or in naturalistic plantings. It prefers well-drained, calcareous soils and thrives in full sun to partial shade. There are no popular garden cultivars of this species, and it is not commonly found in the horticultural trade. Potential problems include susceptibility to powdery mildew and root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Christ's Eye is valued for its historical use in herbal medicine, particularly for eye-related conditions, although scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited. In cultivation, it is often used in rock gardens, as part of wildflower meadows, or in naturalistic plantings. It prefers well-drained, calcareous soils and thrives in full sun to partial shade. There are no popular garden cultivars of this species, and it is not commonly found in the horticultural trade. Potential problems include susceptibility to powdery mildew and root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Alpine meadows and grassy slopes in Europe
Other Names
Common Names: Eye of Christ
Scientific Names: Pentanema oculus-christi, Aster oculus-christi, Helenium kanitzii, Helenium oculus-christi, Inula campestris, Inula lanuginosa, Inula montana, Inula oculus, Inula oculus-christi, Inula sericea
GBIF Accepted Name: Pentanema oculus-christi