Shepherd's Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Also known as: Shepherd's Purse, Mother's Heart, Pickpocket
'Capsella' is Latin for 'little box,' and 'bursa-pastoris' means 'shepherd's purse' – referring to the triangular, heart-shaped seed pods that resemble the small leather purses once carried by shepherds. It is one of the most widespread weeds on earth, found on every continent except Antarctica. Shepherd's purse is a small annual or biennial herb of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), found throughout Australia in garden beds, lawns, roadsides, coastal margins, and disturbed soils. It forms a low basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves, sending up a slender flowering stem with tiny white flowers and its distinctive triangular seed pods. It prefers cooler months and is most visible in winter and spring. Young leaves are edible and have a mild, peppery-mustard flavour characteristic of the Brassica family.
When to Forage
Mainly autumn through spring (April–October); can appear year-round in cooler, moist sites.
Cautions
Generally safe in culinary quantities. Historically used medicinally to stimulate uterine contractions – avoid large quantities during pregnancy. Those on blood-pressure or thyroid medication should use in moderation, as it contains goitrogens (common to all brassicas). Blanching reduces these. Always avoid sites treated with herbicide.
Nutrition
Rich in vitamins A, C, and K; calcium, potassium, and iron. Contains fumaric acid and flavonoids (rutin, quercetin) with anti-inflammatory properties. Seeds are high in protein and oil. A useful, nutritious brassica-family green with a pleasant, mild mustard flavour.
How to Identify
- Basal rosette of deeply pinnately lobed leaves, variable in shape – some plants have almost entire leaves, others are deeply cut like dandelion. Surface is slightly hairy.
- Flowering stem is slender, erect, 10–40 cm tall, with small, arrow-shaped leaves that clasp the stem.
- Flowers are tiny, white, and four-petalled – the classic 'cross-shaped' Brassicaceae flower.
- Seed pods are the clincher: flat, triangular to heart-shaped (like a little purse or mitten), notched at the tip. These are persistent and distinctive at any stage of development.
- The whole plant has a very mild mustard or cress scent when crushed.
Lookalikes
Very similar small rosette with white Brassicaceae flowers. Distinguished by its narrow, elongated seed pods (siliques) rather than the triangular purse-shaped pods of shepherd's purse. Also edible, with a mild cress flavour.
Another small Brassicaceae with rounded, notched seed pods. Strongly pungent, almost fetid smell distinguishes it immediately from the mild shepherd's purse.
How to Forage
Harvest young basal leaves before the plant flowers, using scissors or fingers. The leaves, young flowering shoots, and even the green seed pods are all edible. Pods have a pleasant crunch and mild mustard flavour – good as a garnish. Roots are also edible when young, with a spicy horseradish-like quality. Rinse well and eat raw in salads or use as a cooked green.
Recipe — Shepherd's Purse and Silken Tofu Miso Soup
Ingredients: 2 large handfuls young shepherd's purse leaves and stems, roughly chopped; 1 litre water or light vegetable stock; 2 tbsp white (shiro) miso paste; 150 g silken tofu, cut into small cubes; 2 spring onions, finely sliced; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 sheet nori, cut into thin strips; optional handful of young green seed pods. Method: Bring stock to a gentle simmer. Add shepherd's purse leaves and cook 2–3 minutes. Gently lower silken tofu cubes into the simmering broth; warm through for 1 minute without stirring (they are fragile). Whisk miso paste with a ladleful of hot stock until smooth; stir back into the pot. Do not boil after adding miso. Add seed pods if using. Remove from heat immediately. Ladle carefully into bowls, drizzle with sesame oil, and top with spring onion and nori strips.
Want more?
Join our newsletter for more recipes, foraging guides and upcoming events.