Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd’s Purse) is a fast growing annual that is native to Europe and Asia but has naturalised around the world. Shepherd’s Purse is a popular leafy vegetable in most Asian countries, a traditional medicine, livestock fodder and is also used in the commercial production of cosmetics.
Suitable for Temperate, Dry, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Capsella bursa-pastoris is also known by the name Lady Purse as its seeds are said to resemble a purse. In his book Adam in Eden (1657), William Coles wrote, “It is called Shepherd’s Purse or Scrip (meaning wallet) from the likeness of the seed hath with that kind of leathern bag, wherein Shepherds carry their Victualls (food and drink) in to the field.”
Another name, Mother’s Heart, was derived from a child’s game in England and Scotland. The child would pick a seed pod, then as the pod burst the child would be accused of breaking his mother’s heart.
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Growth
Capsella bursa-pastoris is an annual herbaceous plant that grows to 70cm (28 inches) in height by a width of 5cm (2 inches). Shepherd’s Purse has been naturalised around the world in temperate and tropical climates due to its adaptability of temperature and soil conditions. It is a fast-growing plant and can flower all-year round.
Shepherd’s Purse grows a rosette of lobed leaves at the bottom from which a long stem emerges to produce a few pointed leaves which leads to small white flowers. The flowers can appear in any month of the year in temperate climates and bear four petals and six stamens. Mature plants are self-fertile and eventually produce chambered seed pods called silicles which are triangular/heart-shaped.
In ideal conditions, Shepherd’s Purse can be harvested for its leaves in around 60-70 days.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Brassicaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10-30°C / 14-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining, not boggy.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 70cm (28 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 5 cm (2 inches)
pH:
5.0-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Self-fertilises
MATURITY:
60-70 days
GERMINATION RATES:
75-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks at temperatures between 5-25°C / 41-77°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 10000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 7 years.
FACTS ABOUT CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS (Shepherd’s Purse)
Capsella bursa-pastoris was first illustrated in a medieval text called Herbarius around 1486. The following century, William Turner suggest that Shepherd’s Purse and many other herbs had become known as medicinal plants throughout the Arab world.
Today, the species is the world’s second most prolific wild plant owing to its fast reproduction and great adaptability to many different growing conditions.
Not only were the seeds used as a pepper substitute by British sailors, but they became part of a recent discovery among botanical scientists. Studies have found that the plant drops the seeds to lure and kill nematodes to improve nutrients in the nearby soil.
For more information regarding the traditional medicinal applications of Shepherd’s Purse please click here.
