Shepherd’s purse
About shepherd’s purse
Shepherd’s purse is native to Europe, but this pesky weed has naturalized across Canada and the United States. The unusual name refers to the seed pods, which look like small, triangular purses once carried by shepherds. While shepherd’s purse isn’t as aggressive and difficult to control as many lawn weeds, it can be a significant nuisance.
Identification and growth habit
A member of the mustard family, shepherd’s purse consists of ground-hugging rosettes that show up in fall or spring. A green or reddish-purple stalk emerges from the center of each rosette in late spring, soon sporting tiny, white, four-petaled flowers at the end of the stalks. This weed goes from germination to seedpod very quickly and reproduces by releasing sticky seeds, which may remain viable in the soil for several years.