Shepherd's Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf States, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Eike Wulfmeyer
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Capsella
- Species:
- Capsella bursa-pastoris
- USDA Symbol:
- CABU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), underworld dart (Agrotis subterranea), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Paramidea midea, Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adaptable to various soil types
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; light enhances germination. Seeds remain viable in soil for many years.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI