--- { "id": "shepherds-purse", "name": "Shepherd’s purse", "scientific": "Capsella bursa-pastoris", "category": "invasive", "status": "Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C", "status_sources": [ "C-floristic-2020", "CO-rules-2025" ], "warning": "An early-seeding lawn and garden weed", "warning_tone": "caution", "aliases": [ "shepherd's purse" ], "taxonomy_note": "", "source_ids": [ "C-floristic-2020", "CO-rules-2025", "N-capsella-bursa-pastoris", "C-descriptions", "S27" ], "description": "Shepherd’s purse: An early-seeding lawn and garden weed. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.", "claim_evidence": [ { "label": "Identification", "sources": [ "N-capsella-bursa-pastoris" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "shepherds-purse-1" }, { "label": "People", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "shepherds-purse-2" }, { "label": "Dogs & cats", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "shepherds-purse-3" }, { "label": "Other animals", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "shepherds-purse-4" }, { "label": "Plants & habitat", "sources": [ "N-capsella-bursa-pastoris" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "shepherds-purse-5" }, { "label": "Management & timing", "sources": [ "C-descriptions" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "shepherds-purse-6" } ], "research": { "status": "researching", "label": "Still researching this plant", "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.", "open_questions": [ { "area": "People", "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.", "related_claim_ids": [ "shepherds-purse-2" ] }, { "area": "Dogs & cats", "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.", "related_claim_ids": [ "shepherds-purse-3" ] }, { "area": "Other animals", "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.", "related_claim_ids": [ "shepherds-purse-4" ] }, { "area": "Expert review", "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.", "related_claim_ids": [] } ], "expert_review": "pending" }, "colorado_relevance": { "source_id": "C-floristic-2020", "locator": "Appendix B; PDF page 41; Capsella bursa‐pastoris", "basis": "Included in the 2020 statewide flora assessment. This is not a current county abundance survey.", "source_taxon": "Capsella bursa‐pastoris" }, "source": "content/plants/shepherds-purse.md" } --- # Shepherd’s purse *Capsella bursa-pastoris* **Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C.** [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2) > **An early-seeding lawn and garden weed.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/). ## Still researching this plant {#research-status} This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.** ## Three views of this plant Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence. ![Shepherd’s-purse: a flat basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves spreads over bare soil.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-garden-photos-capsella-bursa-pastoris-06-01-rosette.jpg) **rosette** — A flat basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves spreads over bare soil. Photo: Rasbak; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Herderstasje_bladrozet_(Capsella_bursa-pastoris).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Herderstasje_bladrozet_%28Capsella_bursa-pastoris%29.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Source-identified C. bursa-pastoris. Rosette leaves vary greatly and overlap other mustards; the distinctive fruits and floral characters provide stronger identification than rosette shape alone. Wikimedia server-resized derivative, reduced from the original; no crop, color change, upscaling, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ![Shepherd’s-purse: whole plant laid against a plain surface, with a basal rosette and slender branching flowering stalks.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-garden-photos-capsella-bursa-pastoris-06-06-habit.jpg) **habit** — Whole plant laid against a plain surface, with a basal rosette and slender branching flowering stalks. Photo: Forest & Kim Starr; [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_070308-5329_Capsella_bursa-pastoris.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Starr_070308-5329_Capsella_bursa-pastoris.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Source-identified C. bursa-pastoris. Rosette leaves vary greatly and overlap other mustards; the distinctive fruits and floral characters provide stronger identification than rosette shape alone. Wikimedia server-resized derivative, reduced from the original; no crop, color change, upscaling, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ![Shepherd’s-purse: triangular heart-shaped green pods line a slender stem below small white flowers.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-garden-photos-capsella-bursa-pastoris-06-16-fruit-flower.jpg) **fruit-flower** — Triangular heart-shaped green pods line a slender stem below small white flowers. Photo: H. Zell; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Capsella_bursa-pastoris_002.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Capsella_bursa-pastoris_002.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Source-identified C. bursa-pastoris. Rosette leaves vary greatly and overlap other mustards; the distinctive fruits and floral characters provide stronger identification than rosette shape alone. Wikimedia server-resized derivative, reduced from the original; no crop, color change, upscaling, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop. ## Identification A small annual mustard with a basal leaf rosette, tiny white flowers and flat, heart-shaped or triangular seedpods. Seedlings can establish in spring or autumn. [N-capsella-bursa-pastoris](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/capsella-bursa-pastoris/) ## People The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Dogs & cats The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Other animals The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Plants & habitat It readily colonizes disturbed ground and reseeds in gardens and roadsides. Drought and compaction tolerance help it persist. [N-capsella-bursa-pastoris](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/capsella-bursa-pastoris/) ## Management & timing Pull or hoe before the distinctive pods mature. Check again after another flush of seedlings. [C-descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/) ## Before taking action Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/) ## References - **C-floristic-2020** — [Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields. - **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025. - **N-capsella-bursa-pastoris** — [Capsella bursa pastoris](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/capsella-bursa-pastoris/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:23:11+00:00. Locator: Description, identification attributes and plant problems; toxicity section where present. - **C-descriptions** — [Weed descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/), Colorado State University Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:24:02+00:00. Locator: Species entries. - **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories. [Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=shepherds-purse) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care. # Appendix for agents Colorado inclusion: [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Appendix B; PDF page 41; Capsella bursa‐pastoris. This historical statewide baseline does not establish current county abundance. ## Open research questions - **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section. - **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports. - **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species. - **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary. ## Identity and evidence boundaries Match the scientific name and synonyms, not the common name alone. All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. | Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation | |---|---|---|---|---| | shepherds-purse-1 | Identification | Species-specific | N-capsella-bursa-pastoris | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | shepherds-purse-2 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | shepherds-purse-3 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | shepherds-purse-4 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | shepherds-purse-5 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-capsella-bursa-pastoris | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | shepherds-purse-6 | Management & timing | Species-specific | C-descriptions | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | ## Further work for an agent - Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment. - Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county. - Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json). --- Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/shepherds-purse/ Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:46:00Z Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/shepherds-purse/index.md Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/shepherds-purse/index.md.txt Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json