shepherd's purse

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

You Might Also Be Interested In

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Tag List
  • annual,
  • msu plant & pest diagnostics

About

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).