Class
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Subordinate Taxa
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Lunaria annua L., Sp. Pl. 653 (1753)
Synonymy:
- = Lunaria biennis Moench (1794)
Vernacular Name(s):
honesty
Description
Biennial, roots often swollen. Stems erect, leafy, hairy, branching above, to 1 m tall. Lvs cordate, acute, dark green, hairy, bluntly or coarsely dentate; lower lvs petiolate, opposite, 5–10–(20) × 3–5–(15) cm; upper lvs subsessile, alternate, 3–5–(8) × 1.5–3–(4) cm. Racemes to 30 cm long. Sepals hairy, 7–9 × 1.5–2.5 mm. Petals purple, rarely white, 15–22 × 6–8 mm. Silicle elliptic (lanceolate when immature), 2.5–4 × 2–3 cm, obtuse at both ends; carpophore 8–15 mm long; style 5–8 mm long. Seeds dark brown, 5–8 mm diam.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Biostatus
Exotic
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Exotic: Fully Naturalised | 1 |
| Total | 1 |
Phenology
Flowering: (Sep.)–Oct.–Nov.– (Mar.); Fruiting: (Sep.)–Oct.–Nov.– (Mar.)
Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Tutin, T.G.; Heywood, V.H.; Burges, N.A.; Moore, D.M.; Valentine, D.H.; Walters, S.M.; Webb, D.A. (ed.) 1964–1993: Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press.
