Shepherd’s purse – Capsella bursa-pastoris

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus

Brassicaceae (Mustard family)

MI Status

Non-native

Life cycle

Erect winter or summer annual.

Leaves

Leaves initially develop from a basal rosette. Basal leaves are stalked and highly variable in shape; young leaves are first roundedand elongated, becoming variously lobed, toothed to wavy. Smaller stem leaves are alternate with smooth to toothed margins andclasping bases.

Stems

Erect, slender, hairy, up to 2-foot-tall stems bolt from a basal rosette to flower. Flower stems are usually unbranched with few to no leaves.

Flowers and fruit

White flowers with four small petals are found in terminal clusters. Fruit are distinctly heart-shaped to triangular pods found on elongated, unbranched stems.

Reproduction

Seeds.

Shepherds purse rosette — Shepherd’s purse rosette

Shepherds purse seedhead — Shepherd’s purse seedhead

Shepherds purse fruit — Shepherd’s purse fruit

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Plant & Pest Diagnostics