WHERE’S WILDLIFE • WILDFLOWER GUIDE

Shepherd’s Purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris

A small non-native annual mustard best recognized by its flattened, purse-shaped seedpods.

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Tiny white flowers and triangular seedpods along a slender flowering stem.

Shepherd’s Purse field photograph. Select a photo to enlarge.

NON-NATIVE • ANNUAL

At a glance

Family: Brassicaceae · mustard family
Genus: Capsella
Height: Usually 6–24 inches
Flowers: Tiny, white, four-petaled
Fruit: Flat triangular to heart-shaped pods
Habitat: Gardens, paths, roadsides and disturbed ground

Pronunciation: kap-SEL-luh BUR-suh PAS-tor-is

View sightings on iNaturalist ↗

How to recognize it

Purse-shaped fruits: The strongest clue is the flat, triangular pod, broad and shallowly notched at the outer end and narrowed toward its stalk. Older pods spread outward below the flowers.

Small white flowers: Four petals form a tiny cross. Flowers cluster near the tip while the stem lengthens and fruits develop below.

Two leaf forms: Basal leaves form a rosette and may be toothed or deeply lobed. Upper leaves are smaller, alternate and clasp the stem with pointed basal lobes.

Where and when to look

Look in sunny or partly shaded disturbed places, including garden beds, cultivated fields, lawns and path edges. Plants often flower in spring and can continue or reappear through the growing season when conditions are favorable.

Shepherd’s Purse is introduced in North America and widespread across the continent, including Wisconsin and Illinois. Seeds can germinate in spring or fall; fall seedlings may overwinter as rosettes.

Similar species

Tiny white flowers and triangular seedpods along a slender flowering stem.

Shepherd’s Purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense)

Field Pennycress

Thlaspi arvense

Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) also has tiny white flowers, but its mature fruits are rounded, broadly winged and deeply notched. Shepherd’s Purse has distinctly triangular fruits.

Pepperweeds (Lepidium) generally have small rounded or oval pods. When white mustard flowers look alike, compare the mature fruits.

Flowers and seed dispersal

The flowers can self-pollinate, allowing a single plant to produce seed. Small insects also visit them. Mature pods open to release numerous tiny seeds, helping this annual colonize disturbed soil.

Sources & further reading

NC State Extension: Shepherd’s Purse
Native Plant Trust: Capsella bursa-pastoris

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