Lunaria annua

Honesty, Annual honesty, Silver Dollar, Moneywort, Moonwort, Penny Flower, Money Plant

Brassicaceae Edible: Root, Seed

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Description

Lunaria annua is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Edible Uses

Condiment. Seed - cooked. A pungent flavour, they are used as a mustard substitute. The pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild bitter mustard. Root - raw. Used before the plant produces flowers.

Distribution

Europe - Sweden. More or less naturalized in Britain.

Where It Grows

EUROPE: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania (southwest), Serbia

Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a light soil. Prefers partial shade but also succeeds in full sun. Established plants tolerate drought. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. A good bee and butterfly plant. Often grown in the flower garden, it is occasionally cultivated for its root. Plants are fast-growing and usually self-sow freely.