Capsella bursa-pastoris
Family: Brassicaceae
Plant Description: Annual to 50 cm high with mostly toothed or lobed basal leaves, alternate, 2-8 cm long. Flowers in racemes, the petals about 2 mm long, white. Flat, heart-shaped fruit (called siliques), up to 0.8 mm long.
Plant Trivia: Native to Europe. Only known plant that produces carnivorous seeds. The seed produces a chemical that attracts tiny organisms, which it digests. Common name and specific epithet come from the similarity of the fruit to the male sheep scrotum.
Field Identification: Flat heart-shaped siliques differentiate this from the other mustards.
Occurrence: Common in disturbed areas and along roadsides.
Bloom Period: November – April
Plant Use:
stxflora 