Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
SpeedZone (2,4-D + Carfentrazone) or standard 3-way auxin herbicides kill Shepherd's Purse rapidly.
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Distinct flat, triangular to heart-shaped seed pouches resembling antique leather purses
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves similar to young dandelion foliage
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Tall, slender flower stems topped by tiny four-petaled white cruciform flowers
What herbicide kills Shepherd's Purse?
SpeedZone (2,4-D + Carfentrazone) or standard 3-way auxin herbicides kill Shepherd's Purse rapidly.
Auxin herbicides translocate through the basal leaves and cause rapid stem epinasty within 24 hours.
When to apply herbicide for Shepherd's Purse?
Apply in late autumn during rosette stage or very early spring before seed pods expand.
Fall pre-emergent Prodiamine prevents germination entirely.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Shepherd's Purse
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Shepherd's Purse, including active ingredient groups, application temperature limits (°F), and surfactant requirements.
| Brand Name & EPA Reg. | Active Ingredient & WSSA Group | Temp Window (°F) | Surfactant & Mixing Protocol | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenacity EPA Reg. 100-1267 |
Mesotrione 40% Group 27 (HPPD Inhibitor) |
55°F – 85°F Rainfast: 6h |
Always apply with Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of water for post-emergent applications. Causes temporary white bleaching on susceptible weeds and turf tips. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer EPA Reg. 2217-833 |
2,4-D 28.57%, Mecoprop-p 5.88%, Dicamba 1.71%, Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.62% Group 4 + Group 14 (Synthetic Auxins + PPO Inhibitor) |
50°F – 85°F Rainfast: 3h |
Do NOT add surfactant. Adding NIS or MSO increases ester volatility and causes severe contact burn on desirable cool-season turf. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) EPA Reg. 100-1139 |
Prodiamine 40.7% (or 65% WDG) Group 3 (Microtubule Assembly Inhibitor / Dinitroaniline) |
45°F – 90°F Rainfast: 0h |
Pre-emergent soil barrier: do NOT use foliar surfactant. Must be watered in with 0.5 inches of irrigation or rainfall within 14 days of application to activate. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
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Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Shepherd's Purse Herbicides
Always verify that your chosen herbicide is safe for your specific lawn grass before broadcast spraying:
| Herbicide | KBG | Tall Fescue | Ryegrass | Bermuda | St. Aug | Zoysia | Centipede | Bahia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenacity | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID ACTIVELY GROWING | SOD PRODUCTION ONLY | DAMAGE RISK | SAFE | AVOID |
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE |
How to Distinguish Shepherd's Purse from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| Dandelion | Before flowering, basal rosettes look alike, but Shepherd's purse stems are solid and produce heart-shaped seed pods with white flowers, unlike hollow dandelion stems with yellow heads. |