Pollinator plant

shepherd's-purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris

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Common names

70 names · 39 languages
EnglishYour language
+8 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (38)
Dutch
  • Gewoon herderstasje
  • herderstasje[2][3]
French
Afrikaans
  • Herderstassie[3]
  • wagter-se-sakkie[3]
Belarusian
  • Стрэлкі звычайныя[3]
Bulgarian
  • Овчарска торбичка[3]
Catalan
  • Bosses de pastor[3]
  • sarronet de pastor[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • kokoška pastuší tobolka[3]
Danish
  • Hyrdetaske[3]
Estonian
  • Harilik hiirekõrv[3]
Faroese
  • hirðahjartaarvi[3]
Finnish
German
Greek
  • Αγριοκάρδαμο[3]
  • Αγριοκαρδαμούδα[3]
  • Καψέλλα ο ποιμενόσακος[3]
Hebrew
  • ילקוט הרועים[3]
Hungarian
  • közönséges pásztortáska[3]
  • pásztortáska[3]
Irish
  • Lus an sparáin[3]
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
  • Ganu plikstiņš[3]
Lithuanian
  • Trikertė žvaginė[3]
Mongolian
  • Эгэл гаймуу[3]
Norwegian
  • gjetartaske[3]
  • gjetertaske[3]
Polish
  • Tasznik pospolity[3]
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Traista ciobanului[3]
Russian
  • Пастушья сумка обыкновенная[3]
Serbian
  • Rusomača[3]
  • Русомача[3]
Slovak
  • kapsička pastierska[3]
Slovenian
  • navadni plešec[3]
Sotho
Spanish
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Swedish
Turkish
  • Kuşkuş Otu[3]
  • Çobançantası[3]
Ukrainian
  • Грицики звичайні[3]
Welsh
  • Pwrs y bugail[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Capsella bursa-pastoris — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Shepherd's Purse — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Pepper Plant — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Pick-pocket — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Shepherd's-Pouch — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Shepherds-Bag — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
[2] Capsella bursa-pastoris — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • shepherd's purse — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Gewöhnliches Hirtentäschel — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Hirtentäschelkraut — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Case Weed — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Common Shepherd's-purse — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Pepper Plant — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Shepher's Tree — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • shepherd's-purse — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • shepherds purse — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • shepherdspurse — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • bolsa de pastor — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Bolsita del pastor — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Mastuerzo — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Pan y Quesito — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Zurrón de pastor — results[0].names[66]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Bourse-à-pasteur — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Capselle bourse à pasteur — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Borsa del pastore — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • herderstasje — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Bolsa-de-pastor — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
[3] Capsella bursa-pastoris — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • shepherd's purse — results[25].names[20]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Gewöhnliches Hirtentäschel — results[25].names[4]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Hirtentäschelkraut — results[25].names[7]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Case Weed — results[25].names[50]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Common Shepherd's-purse — results[25].names[38]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Pepper Plant — results[25].names[51]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Shepher's Tree — results[25].names[52]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • shepherd's-purse — results[25].names[0]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • shepherds purse — results[25].names[19]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • shepherdspurse — results[25].names[21]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • bolsa de pastor — results[25].names[5]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Bolsita del pastor — results[25].names[59]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Mastuerzo — results[25].names[60]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Pan y Quesito — results[25].names[25]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Zurrón de pastor — results[25].names[66]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Bourse-à-pasteur — results[25].names[11]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Capselle bourse à pasteur — results[25].names[2]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Borsa del pastore — results[25].names[29]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • herderstasje — results[25].names[3]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Bolsa-de-pastor — results[25].names[31]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • sarronet de pastor — results[25].names[8]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 薺菜 — results[25].names[9]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • ילקוט הרועים — results[25].names[10]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Пастушья сумка обыкновенная — results[25].names[12]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 냉이 — results[25].names[13]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • ナズナ — results[25].names[14]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 薺 — results[25].names[15]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Lomme — results[25].names[16]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Tasznik pospolity — results[25].names[17]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • kokoška pastuší tobolka — results[25].names[18]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • gjetartaske — results[25].names[22]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 薺 — results[25].names[23]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Hyrdetaske — results[25].names[24]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Rikkalutukka — results[25].names[26]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • gjetertaske — results[25].names[27]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Trikertė žvaginė — results[25].names[28]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Harilik hiirekõrv — results[25].names[30]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 荠 — results[25].names[32]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 荠菜 — results[25].names[33]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 护生草 — results[25].names[34]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • 地菜 — results[25].names[35]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • kapsička pastierska — results[25].names[36]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • pásztortáska — results[25].names[37]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Овчарска торбичка — results[25].names[39]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • lutukka — results[25].names[40]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Αγριοκαρδαμούδα — results[25].names[41]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Καψέλλα ο ποιμενόσακος — results[25].names[42]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Αγριοκάρδαμο — results[25].names[43]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Эгэл гаймуу — results[25].names[44]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • hirðahjartaarvi — results[25].names[45]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Грицики звичайні — results[25].names[46]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Стрэлкі звычайныя — results[25].names[47]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Herderstassie — results[25].names[48]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • wagter-se-sakkie — results[25].names[49]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Çobançantası — results[25].names[53]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • sebitsa — results[25].names[54]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Русомача — results[25].names[55]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • navadni plešec — results[25].names[56]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Rusomača — results[25].names[57]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Ganu plikstiņš — results[25].names[58]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • közönséges pásztortáska — results[25].names[61]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Lus an sparáin — results[25].names[62]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Bosses de pastor — results[25].names[63]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Traista ciobanului — results[25].names[64]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Pwrs y bugail — results[25].names[65]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
  • Kuşkuş Otu — results[25].names[67]; taxon id 56121; Capsella bursa-pastoris.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Capsella bursa-pastoris ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Gewöhnliches Hirtentäschel (DE); Shepherd's-purse (EN); Bolsa de pastor (ES) — VernacularName.tsv, line 146436; taxon QT37.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Capsella bursa-pastoris is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Brassicaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.15–0.61 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.1–0.15 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day); Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Eurasia, Africa

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Plant profile

About this plant

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from March to December.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Capsella bursa-pastoris — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 5112681; ID QT37; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 5112681; ID QT37; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Capsella bursa-pastoris — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .