Worth knowing:
The annual or biennial herbaceous perennial plant grows between 10 to 50 cm in height and shows its pretty white blossoms from March to November. Sheperd’s purse was already valued as hemostatic by the monastic medicine in the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, it is only known to many as a weed and therefore almost forgotten as a medicinal herb. The Swedish natural scientist Carl von Linné gave the plant its botanical name because of the peculiar shape of the seed capsules, that reminded him of the typical shape of the shepherd’s bag: “Capsella” means capsule, “bursa” the bag or purse and “pastoris” is the shepherd.
Natural Location:
The exact origin of the shepherd's purse is still not known. It probably comes from the countries of western Asia and southern Europe. Today the plant is spread worldwide.
Cultivation:
It is best to sow shepherd's purse in spring. Since it is a light germinator you should only lightly press the small seeds onto the moist potting compost. Pay attention to an even water supply to the substrate during the germination phase.
Place:
Any sunny or not less than semi-shaded location is suitable for cultivation.
Care:
Sheperd’s purse requires no special care. Harvest: it is best to harvest the whole plant including the roots. Remove any adhering soil and either hang the bundle upside down in a well-ventilated place or dry the herb in the oven at not more than 35° Celsius with the oven door slightly open.
During the winter:
It’s best to sow new seeds the following year.
Picture credits:
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
