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Shepherd's Purse

©Northeast Wildlife

Shepherd's purse

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Scientific name: Capsella bursa-pastoris
Shepherd's purse is often considered a 'weed'. It produces a lot of seeds and can be found on cultivated and disturbed land, such as arable fields, tracks and gardens.

Top facts

Stats

Height: up to 35cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

January to December

About

Shepherd's purse is a widespread annual of cultivated land, including fields, farmland, tracks, roadside verges and gardens. It gets its common name from its heart-shaped seed pods, which resemble little pouches that were worn by medieval peasants. It flowers all year-round and is known for producing a lot of seeds - a single plant can produce 2,000-3,000 seeds, which are long-lived in the soil, germinating when the ground is disturbed.

What to look for

Shepherd's purse can be recognised by its green, heart-shaped seed pods which are held out on thin stalks. Small, white flowers appear in clusters at the top of the stems.

Where to find

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

When the seed pods of Shepherd's purse break open, they release copper-coloured seeds - a little bit like coins.