Shepard's purse is a common herbaceous annual garden weed in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) native to Europe and Asia. It has spread to many countries of the world and invades any disturbed site. This plant prefers moist well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of drought, shade and soil compaction and tolerates temperatures down to 10 degrees F. It can grow 6 inches to 2 feet tall depending on soil and light conditions. The plant is self-fertile and the seeds germinate both spring and fall. They are spread by self-seeding and animals. The white flowers bloom at any time in loose clusters and produce flat, heart-shaped seedpods This shape is said to resemble the leather purse of shepherds during the Middle Ages, thus the common name. Each seedpod has around 20 shiny, ovoid-oblong seeds. The leaves, seeds and flowering shoots are edible, raw or cooked. Before flowering, young leaves can be added to salads. The seeds can be ground and used for flavoring in soups. Fresh or dried root can be a substitute for ginger. It has been noted that the seed attracts mosquitoes when placed in water. It produces a gummy substance that binds the mosquito's mouth to the seed. Seeds also emit a toxic substance to the larvae. When grown on salty/marshy land, it will absorb the salt and sweeten the soil. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, curculio beetles, gall and leaf miners can attack the plant
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Glossy; Smooth
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Basal leaves have smooth edges when young becoming pinnately lobed as they mature. Basal rosettes can be up to 9" wide with individual leaves being 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Flowering stalks have sparse alternate leaves that are also pinnately lobed and clasp to the stem. They are 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. The lower sides of the leaves' central veins are often covered with oppressed hairs.
Flower color
White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are about 1/4 inch across consisting of 4 white rounded petals, 4 greenish sepals, 6 greenish-yellow stamens in a ring around a short yellowish style. They bloom in loose clusters at the top of the stems and the top of the stem leaf axils.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Siliqua
Fruit detail
Seed pods are flatened heart-shaped or triangular in shape with about 20 seeds.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The stems are light green to dark reddish-purple. They are usually smooth on the upper side and appressed-hairy on the underside.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eurasia, Africa
Distribution
Worldwide
Wildlife value
Attracts wildlife including bees, flies, butterflies and deer.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Specialized Bees
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Siliqua
Edibility
Young leaves can be used in salads and have a mild, peppery taste. The leaves are often used in tradtional Chinese cuisine.
Uses (ethnobotany)
This plant is rich in vitamin K and has been used to treat nosebleeds and hemorrhages. It was used by native Americans medicinally for other uses also and is used in cosmetics