SHEPHERD'S PURSE, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. 1, entire plant; 2, root; 3, flower; 4, pods; 5, seeds. Annual and winter annual, reproducing by seed, with a branched taproot. Stems erect, 1 to 1-1/2 feet (30 to 45 cm) tall, covered with gray hairs. Leaves in rosette at base are coarsely lobed; those clasping stem have pointed lobes, are coarsely serrate, and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long. Flowers are small, white, 4 petaled (typical mustard), borne in elongated racemes at ends of branches. Seed pod triangular, 2-parted, about 1/4 inch (6 mm) long. Seeds small, yellowish, shiny. Found widely in practically all crops as well as in noncultivated areas. Seeds are long-lived in the soil.