Lunaria annua
Lunaria annua
The Annuals (Lunaria annua) belongs to the genus silver leaves ( Lunaria ) and to the family of cruciferous plants ( Brassicaceae). It is also called Garden Silverleaf, Judas Silberling, Judas - penny, silver dollars or garden honesty.
Description
The Annual Blue Silver leaf is a - despite its name - two years, that is until flowering once wintering herbaceous plant, the plant height of 30 to 100 centimeters, exceptionally accomplished more. In the first year of life, only basal leaves are formed; in the second year of driving a vertical stem axis with flowers, which subsequently develop the distinctive Samenschötchen. After the seeds are ripe, the plant dies.
From their toothed, broadly heart-shaped foliage leaves, the upper sessile. The four-fold, hermaphroditic flowers with 20 to 25 mm long petals are purple - violet or rarely white in color and, unlike the tenacious silver leaf, odorless. The flowering period extends from April to June. The flowers are often visited by butterflies and bees. The two to five inches long silicles are almost circular, flat, rounded at the ends and have a one to three centimeters long, curved fruit body ( handle) on. Every little pods containing several seeds that fall out when bursting. Only now are the shimmering silver insides of the little pods are visible. Therefore, the silver leaf is as dry Strauss a popular adornment, especially the pods cases quite persistent remain in the dried sprouts.
Dissemination
The Annual Blue Silver leaf is originally sub-Mediterranean - präalpin, so spread more southern European. But as popular ornamental plant in " cottage gardens " Central Europe and other regions, and is therefore neglected regularly, eg in Berlin, now find themselves on railway embankments. For Germany the species is therefore now run as a neophyte with the status " on the path to citizenship ."
Rare white flowers
Laubblatt
Immature silicles
Mature silicles with and without seeds