[2] In spring and summer it bears terminal racemes of white, pink or violet flowers, followed by showy, green through light brown, translucent, disc-shaped[2] siliques (not true botanical seedpods), sometimes called moonpennies.

Lunaria annua is native to southern Europe from Spain to Romania, and has been introduced to many other parts of the world with temperate climates.

[5] The common name "honesty" arose in the 16th century,[6] and relates to the translucence of its silique membranes, which "truthfully" reveal their contents.

The plant is also used in spells for prosperity, the flat pods (when ripe and silvery) resembling coins and therefore being seen as symbolising promises of wealth.

In the earliest surviving recipe for a flying ointment (recorded by Bavarian physician Johannes Hartlieb circa 1440), Lunaria is included as the herbal ingredient corresponding astrologically to the moon and therefore to be picked on the lunar day of Monday.