Shepherd’s Purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris

(Capsella bursa-pastoris subsp. bursa-pastoris)

kap-SEL-luh  BUR-suh  PAS-tor-is

Synonyms of Capsella bursa-pastoris (5) (Updated on 12-6-23 from Plants of the World Online): Bursa bursa-pastoris (L.) Shafer (1901), Nasturtium bursa-pastoris (L.) Roth (1788), Rodschiedia bursa-pastoris (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. (1800), Thlaspi bursa-pastoris L. (1753), Thlaspi bursa-pastoris subsp. pinnatifolia Ehrh. (1780) (not validly publ.)

Plants of the World Online lists 469 synonyms of Capsella bursa-pastoris subsp. bursa-pastoris when this page was updated on 12-6-23. I am not going to list them on this page, but you can view them by clicking HERE…

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medick. is the accepted scientific name for Shepherd’s Purse. The genus and species were named and described as such by Friedrich Kasimir Medikus in Pflanzen-Gattungen in 1792. It was first named Thlaspi bursa-pastoris by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

Accepted Infraspecific Names (2) (Updated on 12-6-23 from POWO): *Capsella bursa-pastoris subsp. bursa-pastoris (autonym), Capsella bursa-pastoris subsp. thracicus (Velen.) Stoj. & Stef.. *When an infraspecific taxon is named, an autonym (“type-specimen”) is automatically generated whose description is closest to the (original) species. All have their own list of synonyms… Capsella bursa-pastoris subsp. bursa-pastoris is the species introduced to North America.

As of 12-6-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 7 species in the Capsella genus. It is a member of the plant family Brassicaceae with a total of 346 genera. Those numbers are likely to change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Capsella bursa-pastoris is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where it is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for North America is similar.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

 THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

Have you ever wondered what those plants that are growing along your driveway in the gravel are? You know, those plants you always mow off but they continue growing and flowering week after week even though they are very short? Well, two species of wildflowers are very persistent in my driveway. One I identified a few years ago is Matricaria discoidea (Pineapple Chamomile) which leaves a pineapple scent in the air when I mow them off. The other is this plant I identified as Capsella bursa-pastoris, commonly known as Shepherd’s Purse. Normally, the plants don’t get very tall because I keep mowing them off but this spring one grew taller because it was growing next to a parked car. When the car was moved I got a few good photos of a bigger plant which I then uploaded on iNaturalist for a positive ID.

This is a plant that you really don’t pay much attention to, but once you do, you will see there is more of it than you realize. Which is a good thing… Their seeds contain mucilage that traps and kills nematodes.

Basil leaves form a rosette and grows in an alternate pattern. The basal leaves are petiolate, oblanceolate, irregularly toothed, and normally pinnatifid.

Dense raceme of many stalked flowers appearing in tight clusters at first then elongating.

Small flowers, usually about 1/8” wide, have 4 petals, 4 greenish sepals with 6 stamens with a single pistil. The two outer stamens have a pair of nectar glands at their base.

Information says flowers only bloom toward the top of the raceme. Flowers are replaced by 2-celled triangular seed pods that produce about 20 seeds.

This species flowers almost year-round, depending on location. The seeds have a short germination time and can produce several generations per year. Seeds can also last several years in the soil.

The upper leaves can be sessile or clasp the stem with ear-like lobes (auriculate), lance-shaped with smooth or toothed margins. 

The upper surface of the leaves are somewhat smooth, but there are hairs along the margins and underside. The stems are also somewhat hairy. You don’t really notice them until you look at close-up photos.

The above photo shows an area where these plants have been and are continually mowed along the driveway. Even being only a few inches tall, they profusely flower most of the year.

While walking behind the barn on April 7 in 2020, I noticed a good-sized patch of Capsella bursa-pastoris enjoying a spot where it doesn’t get run over and has to grow in gravel. It was growing fairly tall…

Analysis has concluded that Capsella bursa-pastoris had a hybrid origin within the past 100,000-300,000 years. It has evolved from being a diploid, self-incompatible species to being a polypoid, self-compatible species. This has allowed it to become one of the most widely distributed species on the planet. 

Scientists refer to this plant as a “protocarnivore” because it has been found that its seeds attract and kill nematodes. Seeds contain mucilage that traps nematodes. 

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri where I enjoy gardening, collecting plants, and identifying wildflowers. The farm is in Pettis County but Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX(GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI PLANTS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
FLORA FINDER
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and can be hard to keep with. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂