Shepherd's Purse-Capsella bursa-pastoris

While walking in a field, I found a pretty white flower in the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) that turned out to be Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). This plant is found throughout North America but is actually native to Europe and Asia Minor.

The plant is still in its early stages in this photo, but as it ages it makes little purse-like seed pods, hence its name.

It's possible that the mucilage found in the seeds traps insects when wet, making this plant protocarnivorous. 

Yum, yum, come hither little fly.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

For more information on Shepherd's purse, click here.