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Etymologically, it comes from Capsella (since it’s got a capsule-shaped fruit) and bursa-pastoris (because it looks like the shepherd’s purse they used to carry)
It is original from the east of Europe and Asia Minor, although naturalised in many parts of the world, particularly in cold climates.
It grows in fertile soils, dry land crops, irrigated crops and by the footpaths.
It's considered a weed on account of its tendency to invade crops.
It can be harvested from mid-winter to the beginning of autumn. The most suitable season is spring, when it’s about to bloom.
Considered a protocarnivorous plant because its seeds, once wet, secrete a sticky liquid (mixospermy) that attracts and kills its prey.
Axonomorphous radical root.
Stem with a circular section, herbaceous and monopodial.
Basal leaves form a sort of rosette and they are polymorphic and petioled.
Cauline leaves are interleaved, lanceolated, entire, sessile with pubescent hairy- like.
Flowers are small, white, hermaphrodite and...
...bunched in corymbiform inflorescences.
Dialipetalous corolla with 4 petals. Gamosepalous calyx with 4 cross-shaped sepals.
Bicarpellated gynoecium with a super ovary.
The fruit is a heart-shaped capsule, silicle and angusticep.
The whole plant is used especially the aerial part once bloomed because it contains alkaloids and flavonoids.
It is used as hypotensor, adstringent, diuretic, vasoconstrictor and hemostatic in varicose veins, hemorrhoids and hemorrhages.
Especially used for uterine hemorrhage (menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, myoma), oral, renal, urinary and pulmonary airway hemorrhages.
Its most common use is as regulating tonic for ***.
It has an antiseptic and antifungal action.
In addition, it has a small antimicrobial and hypocholesterol power.