This was a garden plant introduced from southern Europe but it has successfully escaped and you can expect to find it dotted here and there on our country lane verges in Spring. It has mostly purple or purple/pinkish and pure white flowers but the seeds, which look look like the moon are what makes this plant ideal for dried flower decoration. The transparency of the flat, round seed pods gave rise to the common name Honesty. In spite of its name Lunaria annua it is actually a biennial with nettle shaped leaves form a rosette which flowers the following year.
Verge of Cheshire lane 8th April 2005
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Added on 8th April 2005