Shepherd's Purse

Description:

A member of the mustard family. Small white flowers grow on the end of long, erect stems. It is identified by the heart-shaped pods that grow out of the side (apparently shaped like a purse). Can grow in large clumps, like this. Flowers all year round, can go through several generations in one year. In some parts of Asia, it's used as food (unsurprising, since most members of the mustard family are eaten!)

Habitat:

I most often see these growing in cracks in the pavement and on the side of the road.

Notes:

Shepherd's purses are always one of the first wildflowers to pop up where I live. They can grow where many plants can't, it seems!