This ephemeral can be an annual or a biennial and spreads by seed. The distinctive heart-shaped seed capsules are the same shape as the leather pouches carried by medieval peasants so gave rise to the most frequently used common name, although it has others, but they also derive from this shape. The lobed, hairy leaves can be added to salads. Member of Cruciferae Family so can be an alternative host for club root.
Has astringent properties and an infusion of the aerial parts is useful for checking diarrhoea, its styptic properties make it useful to stem bleeding. It was used during the First World War to stem bleeding when other styptics such as ergot ran out.
Flowers all year round, small white, four petals.
Height - up to 45 cm.
Hoe or hand pull, if seed capsules are present remove the uprooted plants.
Weedkillers to use:-
A residual herbicide to prevent germination.
Paraquat, Diquat, contact action killing top growth, apply before flowering.

Nicholas Culpepper
(17th century astrologer-physician)
"It helps all fluxes of blood, caused by inward or outward wounds. It is also used where there is flux of the belly and bloody flux, and spitting and voiding of blood. It will stop the terms in women. Made into a poultice, the herb helps inflammation and St Anthony's fire. The juice dropped into the ears, heals the pains. noise and matterings thereof. A good ointment may be made of it for all wounds, especially those of the head."
Flux - excess flow of any body secretion.
St Anthony's fire - acute inflammatory disease of the skin.