Shepherd's purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Brassicaceae
Medicinal.
Shepherd's purse is a common weed found in many countries and can be found growing in crops, gardens, lawns, non-cultivated areas, roadsides and waste grounds. It tolerates a broad range of soils types. The seeds can remain viable in the ground for several years, making this persistent plant difficult to eradicate.
Sheperd's purse is a host for insects, fungi and viruses, including many insect pests and diseases of crops. It is reported to be a host for Alfalfa mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato virus Y, Soybean dwarf virus, and Tomato spotted wilt virus. Thrips have also been recorded on shepherd's purse. In one long term study, it was found that Capsella bursa-pastoris is a significant host plant for aphids, as well as their parasitoids and hyperparasitoids Shepherd's purse is reported to attract wildlife including bees, flies and butterflies. Based on pollen collection results from a study Argentina, bees collected pollen from Sheperd's purse (see link below - Honeybees generalize among pollen scents...). Information presented on the Illinois wildflowers site, reports nectar and pollen of the flowers attract mostly short-tongued bees and flies, including honeybees, Halictid bees, Andrenid bees, Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), and blow flies (Lucilia spp.), while less often, small butterflies and skippers suck nectar from the flowers (see link below - Illinois Wildflowers). Caterpillars of two butterflies, Anthocharis midea (Falcate Orangetip) and Pontia protodice (Checkered White), feed on Shepherd's Purse (see link below - Illinois Wildflowers).