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:dgh GOC:dph http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/go/references/0000021 https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A9780721601465 GOC:jid GOC:cls ]