Shepherd’s purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
A small annual mustard-family weed with a basal leaf rosette, tiny white four-petalled flowers and flat heart-shaped seed pods. It occurs in gardens and disturbed ground. Identified young leaves are used as a mild peppery vegetable, including in cooked dishes.
Native range
Eurasia and parts of North Africa; introduced and widespread in North America.
Typical season
Young leaves before flowering are the main food reference. Spring and autumn germination can give separate growth periods; no validated local monthly picking calendar is assigned.
Identification
The heart-shaped pods, four-petalled flowers and stem leaves are important checks. Basal leaf shape varies and can resemble other weeds, so do not identify a rosette alone. This is a species-specific food reference, not permission to substitute another mustard or use herbal preparations. Choose clean, permitted sites.