<Alt Text 1 of 3> Today’s wild plant of the week is one that some might argue should not even be included in this listing. It isn’t a weed in the conventional sense except when it escapes cultivation and even then, it’s nice to have a change of pace from the normal wild plants. The plant in question is commonly called Annual Honesty, though I have always known it as Silver Dollar Plant (Lunaria annua). Silver Dollar Plant has several other common names such as Moonwort, Money Plant and Dollar Plant, there are more variations of this when you search online so always check the botanical Latin name just to be sure. The Latin name of this plant derives from the word luna, the Latin name for the moon and the shape and appearance of the seed pods, annua simply means annual. Silver Dollar Plant is a non-native biennial that is herbaceous in our area and may not completely die back to the ground in winter. It can grow up to three feet tall and generally this plant is at its best in the second year of growth where it produces pretty flowers that can be pink, purple, lavender, or white colored. But the real attraction for this plant is the silvery-white seed pods which are flat and round and often about the size of a silver dollar. The dried seed pods are great for dried arrangements and often contain a single seed by may contain several seeds. Typically the seed pods will emerge after spring flowering in the middle to the end of summer and in a decent wind sometimes you can hear them rattle or crinkle a bit. Let's be honest here, a garden isn't just color, scent or shape it's also the sounds and this is one of a few plants that is good for this. <Alt Text 1 of 3>
<Alt Text 2 of 3> What makes this plant count as a ‘weed’ is that it easily escapes cultivation and this has led some to declare it is an invasive. In the headquarters gardens where all the photos for this post were taken it has proven to largely remain where I originally put its seed out almost a decade ago. So, it’s got potential to be a problem but thus far has not demonstrated any real proclivity for getting into trouble. With that said, it is a good plant for providing nectar and pollen, it’s got pretty flowers and cool seed pods which have multiple uses, so that’s good enough right? Well no, this plant as it turns out has a few more tricks up its sleeve you see, the entire plant is safely edible raw or cooked. The seed of this plant according to ‘Plants for a Future’, can be used as a mustard seed substitute. The trick to controlling the pungency of mustard is the temperature of the water used to make it. Cold water makes it stronger and warm or hot water makes the resulting mustard milder. Since Silver Dollar Plant is related to Mustard the rules are exactly the same. The root which is somewhat like a taproot is edible raw or cooked but it should only be harvested before the plant has bloomed, after wards it’s almost too tough to eat or make anything out of. <Alt Text 2 of 3>
<Alt Text 3 of 3> Beyond that, the young first year leaves are edible raw or cooked and the young green seed pods are also edible. So this plant which could be equally called a Cottage Garden plant as much as a ‘weed’ if out of place is a power house of useful features in a reasonably well-behaved package. The cherry on top though, is that you can buy the seed from multiple credible vendors and there is no chance that it will ever go out of production because of its enduring charm as a garden biennial. As an afterthought, the seeds of this plant are of decent size and its quick germination and growth make it a good candidate for teaching kids the basics of gardening. So that covers Silver Dollar Plant, stay tuned for next week’s post where I cover a strange wild annual that loves to hang out with you, thanks for reading. <Alt Text 3 of 3>
The Wild Harvest Digest: April 2025, #1
Good Morning Neighbors,
Today’s wild plant of the week is one that some might argue should not even be included in this listing.... <See Alt Text for more!> #WildHarvest #SilverDollarPlant #LunnariaAnnua
