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Annual honesty

How to identify Annual honesty (Lunaria annua)

Annual honesty, also known as Money plant, Moonwort

Annual honesty is a striking herbaceous plant reaching heights of up to 3 feet (91 cm). This biennial is characterized by its racemose clusters of four-petaled flowers which display in late spring to summer, transitioning in midsummer to its most distinct feature: orbicular, flat seedpods with a paper-like texture. These silicles, reminiscent of a full moon, are translucent and broad, contributing significantly to the plant's ornamental appeal. The foliage consists of alternately arranged, slightly dentate, heart-shaped leaves. The plant thrives in environments offering full sun to partial shade, along with well-draining soil.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Biennial, Annual, Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Annual honesty

1

Orbicular, translucent, flat seedpods resembling a full moon.

2

Terminal racemes with 1/2 inch flowers in pink, white, or purple.

3

Broad-ovate, heart-shaped leaves with coarsely dentate margins.

4

Erect, hairy stems reaching 2-3 feet tall with green to reddish-green color.

5

Fruit pods grow to 1.5 inches, become silvery and translucent with pearly white septum.

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Detailed Traits of Annual honesty

Leaf Features

The leaves of annual honesty are alternate and simple, featuring a broad-ovate to heart-shaped (cordate) form. They are acute at the apex, cordate at the base, and coarsely dentate on the margins. The upper leaves are either sessile or subsessile, pointed at the tip, and measure up to 3.5 inches (9 cm) long by 2 inches (5 cm) wide. The leaf texture is typically smooth with a prominent vein pattern.

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Flower Features

Annual honesty features terminal racemes measuring 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) bearing 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple. Each flower exhibits deeply clawed petals with branching veins. Blooming from late spring to summer, these flowers also possess a pleasant fragrance, making them a delightful addition to the garden. The combination of their vibrant colors, intricate petal structure, and charming scent makes identifying them relatively easy for plant enthusiasts.

Annual honesty Flower image
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Stem Features

The stems of annual honesty are erect, tall, and branching with a characteristic green to reddish-green coloration. They possess a noticeable hairy texture, which can be felt on the surface. The stems typically reach a height of 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) and are relatively sturdy. The branching pattern is quite defined, contributing to the plant's overall structure. These stems play a crucial role in identifying annual honesty, making them distinct with their height, branching, and color.

Annual honesty Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of annual honesty is distinguished by its unique, paper-thin, flat pods that are orbicular in shape and resemble the full moon. These silicles grow to the size of a silver dollar, approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter, and they become translucent and silvery as they mature. Inside, the septum has a pearly white hue. The visual appeal of the fruit is augmented by their luminosity and delicate texture, making them unmistakable when seen.

Annual honesty Fruit image
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Key Facts About Annual honesty

Attributes of Annual honesty
Lifespan
Biennial, Annual, Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
90 cm
Spread
30 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Stem Color
Green
Red
Purple
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Annual honesty

Species
Annual honesty (Lunaria annua)
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Distribution Map of Annual honesty

The annual honesty is native to Central and Southern Europe, where it grows around the margins of woodlands. The species is now widely spread and naturalized throughout much of Europe, as well as in North and South America, Africa, and parts of Asia. It is grown as an ornamental in many countries.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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