Shepherd's Purse—Capsella bursa-pastoris
An annual herb, shepherd's purse is a common weed in disturbed areas, gardens, roadsides and old homesites.
Plants grow in clumps to about 20 inches tall. Many small flowers atop erect stems.
Stems grow from a rosette of lobed leaves, each up to 4½ inches long and ¾ inch across. Stem leaves are smaller and spear-shaped.
Flowers are small and white, 4-petaled, up to 1/10 inch across and grow in clusters. Flowers from May to July.
Fruit pods are triangular to heart-shaped, strongly flattened, on a long stalk, about ¼ inch long.
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Identification and Control Information
- Fact Sheet with Description and Control Options (PDF) —United States Department of Agriculture
- Fact Sheet with Description and Control Options (PDF) —Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension
- Fact Sheet with Description and Interesting Information—Illinois Wildflowers
- Integrated Pest Management Program: Shepherd's-purse—University of California
- The Organic Weed Management Website—Cornell University
More Information
- Weeds and Your Garden brochure (PDF) —New York State IPM Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Weed Management in the Home Garden (PDF) —Iowa State University Extension
[Photos, left to right: Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org; Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, Bugwood.org;Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org]