shepherd's purse
A common weed with small white flowers and heart-shaped seed pods, often used in the traditional seven-herb rice porridge (七草粥) in Japan.
In spring, a lot of shepherd's purse grows along the roadside.
Shepherd's purse is also put into the seven-herb rice porridge.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also used.
Kanji form is rare and may not be widely recognized.
The name なずな is of uncertain origin; it may be derived from 撫で菜 (nadenade), referring to the plant's use in a traditional children's game where the seed pods are rubbed.