Species Detail Forb

Plant		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Capsella bursa-pastoris - shepherd's purse Synonyms: Capsella rubella Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Brassicaceae
Plant


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Flower spike Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Flower spike Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Basal leaves Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Annual
General Desc: A small invasive plant with flat, lance shaped upper leaves attached by the pointed end to fine stalks along the stem.
Identification notes: Distinctive flattened triangular (heart-shaped) fruits and hairs on lower herbage distinguish this from other genus in the Brassicaceae family. There is only 1 species in this genus.
Height: 3 to 18 inches

Habitat

Habitat Description: Has become well-established throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is common in cultivated fields, gardens, waste areas including roadsides, and poorly maintained pastures.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 9200 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: White Shape: Regular in round clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Jan - Dec
Description: This plant is one of the first to flower in spring. It's bloom time is determined by its location and in some areas it can bloom throughout the year. Four regular petals typical of the mustard family.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Pinnatifid Leaf Margin: Dissected Leaf Attachment: Basal and alternate Leaves Clasp: Y
Hairs: Leaves and stems Spines: N
Leaf Description: One to several erect and slender stems from a basal rosette. The lower rosette leaves are deeply dissected while the upper leaves are lance shaped, clasp the stem, and are toothed or entire.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Reddish-brown
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: Base is wedge-shaped and notched.
Seed Notes: Seed pods are heart-shaped and 2 celled. The plant reproduces entirely from seeds which are very small and oblong with a ridge on each side.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer