Shepherd’s Purse
Scientific Name: Capsella bursa-pastoris
Weed Family: Brassicaceae
Description
Shepherd’s Purse is a winter annual. It forms basal leaves as well as alternating stem leaves. The basal leaves are deeply lobed, pointing away from the base. The root of Shepherd’s Purse is a slender taproot, combined with secondary fibrous roots. The flowers of Shepherd’s Purse are white and borne on erect stems that can branch sparingly. The flowers will appear in terminal clusters. The heart-shaped fruit is a 2-part flattened pod, on individual petioles. The seedpods develop along the erect stems. Flowering can occur from April to September. Shepherdspurse spreads by seed. Shepherdspurse is found throughout the United States.
Herbicide Use
Make your post-emergence herbicide application to Shepherd’s Purse that is actively growing and that is in the seedling to flower stage of growth.
Distribution
Germination Dates
Zone-3: August
Zone-4: September
Zone-5: September
Zone-6: October
Zone-7: November
Zone-8: November
Zone-9: December
PBI-Gordon Product Recommendations
