Scientific name: Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik

Synonym: Thalas bursa-pastoris L.

Common name: Shepherd’s purse

Family: Brassicaceae

Origin:

Native of Europe.

Habit:

An annual herb with leaves forming a rosette at first, then growing upright (erect) stems to 40 cm tall.

Habitat:

Common weed of tended areas such as gardens, roadsides, pastures and cultivation.

General description:

Stems and leaves

The stems and leaves can be either hairless or covered with rough short hairs. The leaves are without stalks (sessile). Basal leaves have blades with margins that are very variable. They range from being finely-toothed to cut into several lobes (pinnatifid). Upper leaves are arrow-shaped, with stem clasping bases. Leaf size varies from 4-13 × 1-2.5 cm.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers are small, with four white petals about 2-3 mm long. Flowering occurs throughout the year, but mostly in winter and spring. Fruits are flattened and heart shaped with a notched apex (4-9 × 3-9 mm in size) and are borne on stalks (pedicels) 7-17 mm in length. The fruit have two compartments, with two rows of seeds in each, and usually 10-15 seeds per compartment. Seeds are tiny, yellow to yellow-brown in colour, and smooth to slightly rough to touch.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Annual herb with basal rosette of lobed leaves. Has small white flowers and heart-shaped fruit borne on long stalks.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 1. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Friend, E. (1983). Queensland Weed Seeds. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.