Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist
Money may not grow on trees, but it can grow on garden plants! This plant "volunteered" in great quantity this spring in a shrub/ground cover bed. The foliage and flower structure are typical of the mustard family, though the spring flowers are purple (can be pink). Now in summer, the plants have developed a distinct, round, flattened seed pod. A bit later in summer as the pods dry, the outer covering turns to a satiny silver-white paper like texture, thus lending the common name of Money Plant. Botanically the plant is a biennial but because of its tendency to be a prolific self-seeder, once you plant Lunaria you are likely to have plants coming up each year.
Click on the small image to view a larger image.
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The distinct, round, flattened |
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| The flowers of Lunaria annua (L. biennis) |
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Last updated: 10 July 2002/tlm.
The Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University.