Capsella Bursa Pastoris
Family: Brassicaceae
English; Shepherd's Purses
This is a small annual herbaceous plant that grows both in cultivated and uncultivated areas in Greece. The flowers are small, delicate, white or pinkish. When they wither, they leave in their wake small cordate fruits with a peppery taste that is reminiscent of mustard seeds. The leaves of this wild cress - Capsela bursapastoris - are oblong and denticulate when fresh, i.e. from December to April. They are collected to be consumed either raw or boiled in salads.
Recent scientific research showed that this plant is rich in vitamins C, with vitamins, A, B and flavonoids in smaller proportions. The plant has also proved to have hemostatic qualities. During World War I it was used in battlefields to reduce hemorrhage. It is also a good antiseptic and invigorates the circulation of the blood. In China this plant is used to treat spleen disorders and dysentery.
Popular Greek names:
"Agriokardamouria", "Agriokardamouda", "Tradia", "Pougi tou voskou".
