The progression of the habenula over time from its initial formation until its mature state. The habenula is the group of nuclei that makes up the stalk of the pineal gland. [ GOC:jid http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/go/references/0000021 GOC:dph GOC:cls GOC:dgh http://openisbn.com/search.php?q=9780721601465&isbn=1/ ]