Image to followAI-generated illustrationLunaria annua
Lunaria annua
FamilyGenus: Lunarianative in Germany
🌿
21
Species
interact
🔗
39
Interactions
documented
🐛
2
Host relationships
Species
About this species
Lunaria annua is an introduced-established, non-woody herbaceous plant reaching about 0.5 m in height. It prefers partial shade, moderately moist and nutrient-rich, calcareous soils, and commonly occupies woodland margins. Flowering occurs from April to June.
Ecological network
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PollinationLarval hostFlower visit
Ecological significance
The species is introduced and established in Great Britain, occurring as a neophyte since the 16th century. It occupies nutrient‑rich soil at woodland edges but its broader ecological effect is not documented.
Annual cycle
The blooming period runs from April to June.
Safety note
No specific safety data are available for this species.
Standort & Merkmale
Light
Halbschatten
Moisture
Frisch (Mäßig feucht)
Soil
Starkzehrer (Nährstoffreicher/Fetter Boden)
Flowering period
Apr – Jun
Soil reaction
Basisch / Kalkhold
Bioregion
Continental
Growth form
Krautige Pflanze
Woodiness
Nicht verholzt
Leaf type
Breitblättrig
Plant height
0.533 m
Morphological traits: TRY ID3 (CC BY 3.0) & TRY ID81 (CC BY)
Corolla tube
12 mm
Pflege & Anbau
**Light:** Partial shade
**Moisture:** Keep soil moderately moist; avoid waterlogging.
**Soil:** Nutrient‑rich, calcareous loam.
**Feeding:** The plant is a heavy feeder; incorporate well‑rotted compost or a balanced fertiliser.
**Mycorrhizas:** None (non‑mycorrhizal).
**Height:** Expect plants to reach about 0.5 m.
**Flowering:** April to June.
Scientific profile
Lunaria annua is an introduced neophyte of the Brassicaceae family. The plant is herbaceous, broad-leaved and non‑woody, typically attaining a height of 0.53 m. It grows in semi‑shaded locations on fresh to moderately moist, nutrient‑rich and lime‑rich soils. Its prime habitat is the woodland edge or forest fringe. The species is non‑mycorrhizal. The first record in the region dates to 1500; today it is classified as introduced‑established in Great Britain.
Pollinators & visitors
16 Arten interagieren mit dieser Pflanze
Other flower visitors
3 other species visit the flowers
Sources & data origin
•Cook et al. (2025) UK Butterfly & Moth Traits (DOI: 10.5285/dbc7cc17-cbbd-49dd-bab4-8e8855768d66)
•Interaktionsdaten via GloBI (CC-BY 4.0)
•pollinator_interactions
•Baden-Böhm F, App M, Thiele J (2022) — The FloRes Database: A floral resources trait database for pollinator habitat-assessment generated by a multistep workflow. Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Dryad, DOI: 10.5061/dryad.djh9w0w29 (CC0)
•FloraWeb / BfN
•EIVE 1.0 — Dengler et al. (2023), DOI: 10.3897/VCS.98324 (CC BY 4.0)
•GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — GBIF Secretariat (2024), DOI: 10.15468/39omei (CC BY 4.0)
•TRY Categorical Traits (ID3) — Kattge et al. (2012), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.3 (CC BY 3.0)
•TRY Global Spectrum (ID81) — Díaz et al. (2016/2021), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.81 (CC BY)
•Checklist Alien Plants Belgium — Verloove F (2023), Botanic Garden Meise (CC BY 4.0)
•Govaerts R et al. (2025) — World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) v14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. DOI: 10.34885/xs7h-ze42 (CC BY 4.0)
All data is licensed under CC BY 4.0, CC0, or compatible terms. Attribution according to license conditions. Full source overview →