Shepherd’s purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant or it can take 2 years to complete its life cycle. The stem is erect. It grows to 60 cm high. It has a rosette of leaves near the base. The leaves vary in shape and are toothed along the edge. The upper leaves are smaller, sword shaped and without stalks. The flowers are white. They are in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is a flat, triangular, pod.

There are 5 Capsella species. It is the second most common weed on earth. It produces a temporary drop in blood pressure. Chemical composition (leaves ?): Protein = 2.9%. Fat = 0.2%. Carbohydrate = 1.0%; (seeds): Fatty oil = 35.2%. Amino acid = 74.8% - high in Arginine, Aspartic acid, and Cysteine. The plant is reported to contain significant quantities of Vitamin C, lime, and iron; and moderate amounts of Vitamins A, and B1.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate and subtropical places. In Nepal it grows to 4,800 m altitude. It grows best in moist soils. It grows in higher rainfall areas. It is resistant to frost and drought. It survives the winter snow. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,490-1,920 m above sea level. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Burundi, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chile, China, Congo, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe, Falklands, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovenia, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young tender leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable. They are also used in stir fried dishes and soups and stews. They can also be eaten raw in salads. They need to be gathered before the flowers appear. They are dried and used for tea drinks. The dried seed pods give a pepper like flavouring. They are used as a spice. The fresh or dried roots can be used as a ginger substitute. Caution: It is not recommended during pregnancy. It can cause miscarriages.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in vegetable markets in Asia. Young plants are considered a delicacy in China. It is cultivated in some places. It is commonly used in Anatolia, Turkey.

Edible parts

Leaves, tea, seeds, vegetable, caution, pods, flowers, root

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds can lie dormant in the soil for 30 years.

The seeds contain 15-20% oil.

Its other names

Local names

A zu o qi, Badman’s Oatmeal, Bhursa di picararu, Bicibici, Bit otu, Bo bo lei zhu, Bo guo guo, Bolsa de pastor, Borsa del pastore, Camarak, Capsell, Chalne, Chamso, Chamsure jhar, Cha-tsho-thamh, Chhyamachhyaru, Chibotey, Chinese cress, Chiri halian, Chmso, Chorrontelas, Cimlik, Coban cantasi, Cocowort, Derelahanasi, Devanaeras, Didicai, Entanenga, Erba de poute, Gjetertaske, Hiirekorv, Insalata selvaggia, Ireqerece, Jag-jag, Jangli sarson, Kazayagi, Kazbagsi, Kokoska pastusi tobolka, Kralmund, Kusayagi, Kusekmegi, Kuseppegi, Kuskus, Lady's purse, Laihyane, Leylek biti, Medik, Mother's heart, Naengi, Naeng-i, Nana shuwaan, Nanchevik, Nazuna, Non mircikon, Odelia, Pastariz, Pasztortaska, Pironek, Pirxalack, Qi, Raslet, Rusomaca, Sarmay, Shamsho, Shepherd's heart, Simlik, Sog-karpu, Sokapa, Sokawa, Sumacka, Surlin, Surljan, Surljen, Susanka, Tori ghans, Tori jhar, Traista ciobanului, Triskiaute, Ts’its’mat’ura, Tstapashar, Tuntkya, Water chestnut vegetable, Zengil zava, Zijisuana, Zvakide

Synonyms

Thlaspi bursapastoris L. for more than 250 synonyms, see Index Kewensis.