Brassicaceae

Lunaria annua

Honesty

Stems erect, branched, few straight hairs. Leaves oval, with rounded base, 2–4 in. long, toothed. Lower leaves with petioles mostly cluster at base and on lower stem; upper leaves clasp stem. Flowers in spreading to erect cluster at top, purple to lilac, petals spoon-shaped, with long thin base. Seedpods on long spreading stalk, round or widely oval, 1–2 in., with beaks 1/4 in. long, flat, semitransparent, with 2–5 round deep brown seeds on each side. Two outer husks fall, revealing shiny white inner wall. Grows in disturbed soils, along roads, urban areas. Escapee from gardens. Lunaria means "moon," a reference to the shiny inner wall of the seedpod.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: All Spring
• Life Cycle: Annual, Biennial
• Height: 18--36 feet
• Habitat: Disturbed, West-Side Forest
• Found In: Olympic Np, West Gorge, N Cascades Np
• Native: No