Family: Brassicaceae

Common names: red shepherd's purse, scarlet shepherd's purse

Native range: Eastern Asia

Introduced range: Worldwide

Description:

Plant: An annual or winter annual herb growing up to 20 cm (8 in) tall.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, oblong to lanceolate, with toothed margins. The lower leaves are petiolate, and the upper leaves are sessile.

Flowers: Small, white, with four petals, arranged in a raceme.

Fruit: A silicle, which is a small, dry, two-valved capsule containing several seeds. The silicles are red or reddish-brown in color and are about 6 mm (0.24 in) long.

Reproduction: _Capsella rubella_ reproduces by seed. The seeds are dispersed by wind and water.

Habitat: _Capsella rubella_ is a weed that grows in disturbed habitats, such as roadsides, gardens, and fields.

Impacts:

- Displaces native plants and can hinder agriculture or reforestation in its introduced locations.

- Its rapid reproduction rate allows it to adapt and thrive in changing environments.

- Contains compounds that inhibit or delay seed germination of some competitors.

*Interesting Fact:* _Capsella rubella_ also known as "bloody cress" due to the reddish color of its stems and seed pods.