So today I noticed one of my all time favorite wildflowers. It is actually classified as a weed by most people, but one can actually purchase seeds on-line, so that would make it a cultivated plant wouldn't it. These plants have bloomed a bit early this year with our Indian Summer we have been experiencing. It is raining tonight, so they will be blooming with the daffodils soon. These are Capsella Bursa-Pastura, commonly known as the shepherd's purse. They have tiny white florets on terminal stalks, but then spread their seed pods in a whorled fashion. If you'll notice the seed pod is heart shaped. In fact it's name comes from the fact that it is shaped like the sling purse that shepherd's often wore across their shoulder in ancient Israel. Legend has it that these flowers did not exist until David killed Goliath with his sling ... and if the seed pod is cut open there are five smooth stones in each one of them. Go figure.
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