Shepherd’s purse: One of the world's most common weeds is a fascinating gem – and it's in your garden By hook or by crook, shepherd’s purse has found its way to all corners of the world 15 March 2021 • 6:00am The few plants named after shepherds are all weeds – but at least a couple of them are quite interesting weeds Credit: Alamy Throughout history, shepherds have tended to have rather a good press. The Bible is particularly fond of them; the Lord’s my shepherd, after all. A pity then that the few plants named after shepherds are all weeds – but at least a couple of them are quite interesting weeds.