MUSTARD FAMILY 



Root-leaves. — Clustered in a rosette, incised or toothed. 



Stem-leaves. — Arrow-shaped, sessile, partly clasping. 



Flowers. — Small white crucifers in a long, 

 loose raceme at the summit of the flower- 

 stem; stem lengthens as flowers bloom. 



Fruit. — Triangular pod, somewhat heart- 

 shaped. 



Pollinated by flies; also capable of self- 

 fertilization. 



Shepherd's-Purse is a winter annual; 

 that is, the seedlings come up in the au- 

 tumn, brave the winter, and so are able 

 to bloom in early spring. The plant shares 

 with the Chickw^ed and the Dandelion 

 the distinction of blooming late into the 

 year. The Shepherd's-Purse blooms in 

 April, and may often be foimd in fair 

 condition in mild Decembers. The reason 

 that a single stalk can thus grow and 

 bloom for months together is due to the 

 fact that all the blossoms are borne from 

 the side of the stem and that the growing 

 point at the summit never bears a blos- 

 som and can thus grow^ on indefinitely. 

 Its tiny flowers have all the characteristics of the 



Mustard family and its stem and leaves the pungent 



mustard taste. The common name is suggested by 



the little flat, triangular seed-pods. 

 The plant is know^n among the English peasantry 



as Pickpocket and Pickpurse, because it sows itself and 



as a weed robs the farmer. 



Shepherd's-Purse 

 Capsella bursa- 

 pastdris 



112 



