Euphrasia amplidens

Euphrasia amplidens (pieman eyebright) is a short-lived perennial herb that grows in openings amongst dense shrubby vegetation on ultramafic substrates. It appears to be restricted to a highly localised part of the catchment of the Pieman River in the central west of Tasmania. The species was recognised as unique during the 1980s when known only from specimens collected in the late 1800s but only re-discovered in late 2011. The species is known from three discrete patches extending over less than 50 ha, but occupying less than 1 ha and supporting fewer than 250 individuals. This increases the risk of losses through chance events, particularly as similar eyebright species are short-lived and may become restricted to soil-stored seed if conditions become unfavourable for recruitment. Risks are exacerbated by their semi-parasitic nature, making them susceptible to additional factors that may influence their hosts. The seedlings are particularly susceptible to low moisture levels prior to developing their parasitic attachments, making highly localised species such as Euphrasia amplidens susceptible to even small changes in rainfall patterns. Other threats include an inappropriate fire regime, and mineral exploration and extraction.