Perennial honesty (Lunaria rediviva, Sp. Pl.: 653 (1753))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 653 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lunaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe

Description

Perennial honesty, known scientifically as Lunaria rediviva, is a notable plant hailing from the Brassicaceae family. First documented in “Species Plantarum” on page 653 in the year 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this species has maintained a firm foothold throughout various regions of Europe.

This perennial flowering plant enchants gardens and wild sites alike with its striking appearance. Characterized by its heart-shaped leaves and delicate lilac or pale purple flowers, Lunaria rediviva is frequently sought after by both amateur and seasoned botanists for its aesthetic appeal and ease of cultivation. The blooms, which typically emerge in the spring and persist into early summer, give way to translucent, papery seedpods that remain ornamental through the autumn, adding a layer of visual interest long after the flowering season has ended.

Thriving in a variety of soil types, Perennial honesty prefers moist, well-drained soils and is usually found in shaded or partially shaded habitats such as woodlands and riparian zones. Its natural European habitats include deciduous forests where it enjoys the dappled sunlight beneath tree canopies.

Aside from its visual beauty, Lunaria rediviva serves ecological purposes. It attracts a range of pollinators including bees and butterflies, thus contributing to the biodiversity and health of its native ecosystems. The plant also exhibits resilience to various environmental conditions, making it an adaptable and reliable species for ecological restoration projects and naturalistic garden designs.

Perennial honesty not only serves as a botanical gem but also provides ecological benefits and historical significance, showcasing the enduring legacy of Linnaean taxonomy and the natural splendor of Europe’s flora.

Common Names

Deu: ausdauerndes silberblatt, mondviole, wildes silberblatt
Eng: perennial honesty
Dan: vedvarende måneskulpe
Lav: daudzgadiga menesene
Fin: ikikuuruoho
Swe: ikikuuruoho, månviol, vild månviol
Nob: månefiol
Nno: månefiol
Nld: wilde judaspenning
En: Perennial honesty
Be: Луннік ажываючы
Bg: Многогодишна лопатка
Hr: Ružičasta mjesečnica
Cs: Měsíčnice vytrvalá
Da: Vedvarende måneskulpe
Nl: Wilde judaspenning, Vaste Judaspenning
Et: Mets-kuukress
Fi: Ikikuuruoho
Fr: Lunaire vivace, Lunaire odorante
De: Mondviole, Ausdauerndes Silberblatt, Wildes Silberblatt, Ausdauerne Mondviole, Wilde Mondviole
Hu: Erdei holdviola
It: Lunaria comune
Lv: Daudzgadiga menesene
Lt: Daugiametė blizgė
Nb: Månefiol
Nn: Månefiol
Pl: Miesiącznica trwała
Ru: Лунник оживающий
Sk: Mesačnica trváca
Es: Lunaria perenne
Sv: Månviol, Ikikuuruoho, Vild månviol
Uk: Місячниця оживаюча

Synonyms

• Lunaria rediviva var. alpina ((Bergeret) DC.)
• Lunaria rediviva var. purpurea (DC.)
• Lunaria alpina (Bergeret)
• Crucifera rediviva ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 31, 2021 by Karorke Maja (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2018 by Barbara Kozan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Astrid Hensel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by David Barranger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2019 by Alessandro Cappellini (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Ivona (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Astrid Hensel (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 5, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2019 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by sandra nourry (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 2020 by Milano Arianna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Astrid Hensel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2020 by Jean-Claude SOULIÉ (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Marieke Wiersma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2019 by Kater Billa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by felfeu00 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 14, 2021 by Alen ZO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2020 by @herbert (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5373322)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:286670-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lunaria rediviva L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 7