HPIPM:Shepherds purse

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Rosanae
Order	Brassicales
Family	Brassicaceae
Genus	Capsella

Scientific Name

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Common Name

shepherd's-purse

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Compiled by Lowell Sandell, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

and Marjolein Schat, Montana State University from the following sources:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CABU2

http://www.kingdomplantae.net/shepherdsPurse.php

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2240,2340,2341

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?105461

http://montana.plant-life.org/species/capse_bur.htm

Identification and Life Cycle

Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is an introduced annual to biennial weed in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Shepherd’s purse has erect stems that grow 4 – 26 inches in height. Stems can be simple to branched and have short star-shaped hairs. Basal rosette leaves are 1-2.5 inches long, lance-shaped, broadest toward the tip, and can be entire or pinnately lobed. Stem leaves smaller, clasp the stems, and are oblong often with shallow teeth. Flowers are small, obovate to spoon shaped and white to pink in color and develop on slender spreading stalks. Seeds pods are triangular to heart shaped and flattened. Each pod contains approximately 20 minute dull orange seeds.

Habitats

Shepherd’s purse can be found in disturbed areas, gardens, farmland, fallow lands, roadsides, and cultivated fields.

Impacts

Shepherd’s purse may inhibit the establishment of native and desired species. Shepherd’s purse is also a host for nematode species and viruses.

Biology and Ecology

Shepherd’s purse reproduces entirely by seed. Seeds require open soil to germinate. Flowers appear from May to July. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water, animals, and mud on vehicles.

Management Approaches

Management practices that prevent seed set can control shepherd’s purse.

Biological Control

There are no biological controls available for shepherd’s purse.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Planting competitive grasses or other cover crops can help prevent infestations of Shepherd’s purse. Tilling and mowing can be effective if done prior to flowering.

Chemical Control

Shepherd’s purse populations in Poland have been reported to be resistant to photosystem II inhibitors, but there have been no reports of herbicide resistance in the United States. For more information on herbicide resistance please see: http://www.weedscience.org/Summary/USpeciesCountry.asp?lstWeedID=41&FmCommonName=Go

For herbicide recommendations for specific grain rotations and weeds in Montana, please see the MSU Herbicide Chooser Tool.

Examples of herbicides that can be used to manage Shepherd's purse

Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net.

Herbicide Active Ingredient trade name	Mode of Action	Product per Acre	Application Time or Growth Stage
Alfalfa
Pronamide	Microtubule assembly inhibition
*Kerb 50-W		3 - 4 pounds	recommended for fall or winter applications to alfalfa for pre-emergence control of shepherds purse.
Dry Peas
Imazamox	Inhibition of acetolacetate synthase ALS (acetohydroxyacid synthase AHAS)
*Raptor		4 ounces	Apply post-emergence prior to bloom stage but after dry peas have at least 3 pairs of leaves and before shepherds purse reaches 3 inches in height.
Grass Grown for Seed
Glyphosate	Inhibition of EPSP synthase
*Roundup Original Max		11 - 16 ounces	Apply when shepherd’s purse is 6 to 12 inches tall.
Small Grains
Carfentrazone-ethyl	Inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)
*Aim EW		1.5 - 2 ounces	Apply to small grains in all tillage systems from prior to planting up to jointing. For optimum performance, make application to actively growing weeds up to 4 inches tall.
Corn
2,4-D + Dicamba	Action like indole acetic acid (synthetic auxins)	1 pint 2,4-D: 0.5 pint dicamba	Apply to actively growing weeds

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

References

For more information and images please visit IPM Bugwood. http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=Capsella%20bursa-pastoris&Start=1&results=36