Integrated Pest Management

Shepherd's-Purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Shepherd's-Purse

Shepherd's-purse (Robert Videki, Bugwood.org)

Shepherd's-purse

Shepherd's-purse seedlings (Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org)

Shepherd's-purse

Shepherd's-purse seedpods (Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org)

Description

  • small herbaceous plant with erect stems 1 – 20 inches tall
  • most of the leaves are arranged in a rosette at the base of the plant
  • small white flowers with four petals grow at the tips of branches\
  • after the flowers fade, stalks elongate, producing a flat purse-shaped seedpod

Location

  • gardens, lawns, cropland and open spaces

Life Cycle

  • summer or winter annual
  • germination takes place primarily in spring and fall, but can take place throughout the year
  • flowering and seed production can take place anytime from April through September

IPM Recommendations

  • Seed populations can be reduced by soil solarization.
  • Apply a mulch layer 3 inches deep on planting beds to reduce seed germination.
  • Maintain healthy, competitive desirable vegetation.
  • Cultivation is important in the fall to remove overwintering rosettes that would produce seed the following spring.
  • Pre-emergent herbicides are not always effective since germination can take place year round.
  • Apply an appropriate post-emergent herbicide directly to target weeds.