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Carolina Gardening

ID through a seed pouch

15 years ago

Hi all,

not sure if this is the correct "forum" to post this, but I have some pretty purple flowers in one of my gardens that I cannot ID. Someone initially told me they were Columbine but that cannot be right. So now the flowers are gone...BUT...they have these amazing seed pouch things growing off the stems. They are flat and disc shaped most are oval, somewhat transparent green in color lined with a brownish red band, and off the band has a sharp but soft "thorn". Within the pouches you can see seeds, usually six, and paired together in most cases. Anyone know what this is? I know it is a perennial, and I have seen it in the wild ( side of the road) but I dont think it is a weed. Any guesses? I apologize for no picture it's a spur of the moment question! Lyle

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Comments (4)

rob629
15 years ago
Lyle,

Could you possibly be talking about lunaria, alias money plant. etc.?

rob
tamelask
15 years ago
Sure sounds like that to me too, but with one addendum- they are biennials, not perennials. Were the flowers a bright pink purple color? Once the pods ripen in a month or so the outer layer will just pop off with a quick finger rub and the seeds will be released and the plant will probably die. Then you'll see the 'silver dollars'; that's its common name. Makes a great dried arrangement addition. If you like it just sow those seeds around and keep 1/2 for next spring. Since they are bi's it helps to sow 2 years running and then if you let them reseed you'll always have some coming.
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lylesgardens
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Rob and Tame...

I did a pictorial search for Lunaria and YES...this is the exact plant I have. I have MANY...some were over 3' tall! And thank you Tame for pointing out these are biennial...I didnt know that. I will be sure to keep a lot of those silver dollars when they turn next year and put on my trading list! Thanks for your help both of you! Lyle
tamelask
15 years ago
Lyle, You're welcome. You really only need to keep the seeds, which you'll recover by rubbing off the dull outer skin to reveal the silvery inner membrane after the plant dies in june or so. I think it's easier to cut the whole branch of seed heads off the dead plant, and work over a flat or something to catch the seeds. It'll make sense when you do it. Then you can use the seedpods for whatever use you want- they keep for years. They are gorgeous in wreaths. Take care- tammy

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