Ontario Wildflowers website

Shepherd's Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) Other common names: Medic

Other scientific names: Bursa bursa-pastoris, Thlapsi bursa-pastoris

French names: Bourse-à-pasteur

Family: Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

Flowers: 4 parts (petals)

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 150   

Native/Non-native: Non-native

Photographs: 72 photographs available, of which 7 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Shepherd's Purse flowers.

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Typical growth habit of Shepherd's Purse.

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Closer view of Shepherd's Purse flowers.

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

The seed pod of Shepherd's Purse is what gives it its name. It is said to ersemble the purse of a shepherd.

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

{s,c] leaves.


Range map for Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)