Family: Brassicaceae
shepherd's-purse
[Bursa bursa-pastoris (L.) Britton, more...]
Merel R. Black
Kenneth J. Sytsma
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Capsella: Latin for "a little box"
Plants: erect, annual, 4"-24" tall forb, with a few branches
Leaves: basal leaves oblong, pinnately-lobed; stem leaves smaller, mostly linear, appearing to clasp the stem with the 2 basal lobes
Flowers: white, 4-parted, 1/4" wide, petals longer than the sepals; inflorescence a dense cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers, elongating with age; blooms April-Aug.
Fruits: heart-shaped to triangular, flat pod
Habitat: disturbed sites such as lawns and roadsides
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Plants: erect, annual, 4"-24" tall forb, with a few branches
Leaves: basal leaves oblong, pinnately-lobed; stem leaves smaller, mostly linear, appearing to clasp the stem with the 2 basal lobes
Flowers: white, 4-parted, 1/4" wide, petals longer than the sepals; inflorescence a dense cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers, elongating with age; blooms April-Aug.
Fruits: heart-shaped to triangular, flat pod
Habitat: disturbed sites such as lawns and roadsides
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
A common weed of gardens, lawns, fields, waste areas, edges of buildings, landscaped areas, gravel paths and lots, roadsides and railroad tracks, campgrounds, old quarries; rarely in natural settings such as along forest borders, lakeshores, and dry prairies. One of our earliest blooming plants, sometimes flowering again in the fall, even as late as December. The narrowly triangular fruits are distinctive. Native to Europe and first collected in 1875. A common weed of gardens, lawns, fields, waste areas, edges of buildings, landscaped areas, gravel paths and lots, roadsides and railroad tracks, campgrounds, old quarries; rarely in natural settings such as along forest borders, lakeshores, and dry prairies. One of our earliest blooming plants, sometimes flowering again in the fall, even as late as December. The narrowly triangular fruits are distinctive. Native to Europe and first collected in 1875.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FAC- USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Robert Bierman
Merel R. Black
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration
Matthew L. Wagner
