Shepherd’s purse
September 4, 2015
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EmailCapsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus
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 rounded and elongated, becoming variously lobed, toothed to wavy. Smaller stem leaves are alternate with smooth to toothed margins and clasping bases.
Shepherd’s purse rosette.
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.
Shepherd’s purse fruit (left) and flowering cluster (right).
Reproduction
Seeds.
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