Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Brassicaceae / Cruciferae ⟩ Capsella bursa-pastoris / shepherd’s purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.

shepherd’s purse (Brassicaceae / Cruciferae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Capsella bursa-pastoris is a morphologically variable species of disturbed ground.

New Luce (VC74: Wigtownshire); 2012-08-21

 shepherd’s purse / Capsella bursa-pastoris: _Capsella bursa-pastoris_ is a morphologically variable species of disturbed ground.

The leaves of Capsella bursa-pastoris can vary from deeply lobed to almost entire; the terminal lobe is often larger than the lateral ones.

Islip (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-10-28

 shepherd’s purse / Capsella bursa-pastoris: The leaves of _Capsella bursa-pastoris can vary from deeply lobed to almost entire; the terminal lobe is often larger than the lateral ones.

The petals of Capsella bursa-pastoris are noticebly longer than the sepals, and the fruiting pods are at most slightly concave along their sides, in contrast to Capsella rubella.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-23

 shepherd’s purse / Capsella bursa-pastoris: The petals of _Capsella bursa-pastoris_ are noticebly longer than the sepals, and the fruiting pods are at most slightly concave along their sides, in contrast to _Capsella rubella_.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne