Brassicaceae
Capsella bursa-pastoris

Shepherd's Purse

Rosette of leaves with straight erect stems. Stems unbranched or branched. Leaves with 1–2 in. petioles, lance-shaped, slightly toothed to pinnately lobed. Flowers small, white, with green or reddish calyx, clustered at top of elongating stems. Seedpods present with flowers, on stalks spreading outward from stem, heart-shaped to triangular, flat. Grows on disturbed soils, gardens, roadsides, from coastline to alpine. Widespread in North America. Has been used as a salad herb.

  • Rarity: Common
  • Flowering Time: All Spring And Summer
  • Life Cycle: Annual
  • Height: 4--20 inches
  • Habitat: Disturbed, Coastal, Subalpine, Meadow
  • Found In: Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np
  • Native: No

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