Alchemilla alpina
Alpine Lady's Mantle
a perennial member of the Alchemilla genus in the family Rosaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Alchemilla
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.15 m
- Spread
- 0.15 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Apomictic
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Apomictic
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The following uses are for A. vulgaris. They quite probably also apply for this species[K]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[15][16]. A dry, somewhat astringent flavour[K]. They can be mixed with the leaves of Polygonum bistorta and Polygonum persicaria then used in making a bitter herb pudding called 'Easter ledger' which is eaten during Lent[4][5]. Root - cooked. An astringent taste[13]. The leaves are used commercially in the blending of tea[16].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Lady's mantle has a long history of herbal use, mainly as an external treatment for cuts and wounds, and internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and a number of women's ailments, especially menstrual problems[17][11]. This plant, the alpine ladies mantle, has been shown to be more effective in its actions[10][12]. The herb is alterative, antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, styptic, tonic and vulnerary[13][16][17][8][14][3]. The leaves and flowering stems are best harvested as the plant comes into flower and can then be dried for later use[13]. The fresh root has similar and perhaps stronger properties to the leaves, but is less often used[13]. The plant is rich in tannin and so is an effective astringent and styptic, commonly used both internally and externally in the treatment of wounds[13]. It helps stop vaginal discharge and is also used as a treatment for excessive menstruation and to heal lesions after pregnancy[13][11]. Prolonged use can ease the discomfort of the menopause and excessive menstruation[12]. The freshly pressed juice is used to help heal skin troubles such as acne and a weak decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of conjunctivitis[11].
- Product or use
- Alterative
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Styptic
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Environment
- Range
- Western and Northern Europe.
- Habitat
- Meadows, pastureland and woodland clearings, mainly on acid soils[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 16°c[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on a cold frame for their first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we find it best to pot them up and keep them in a sheltered position until they are growing away well.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in ordinary soil in sun or part shade[1][9]. Prefers a well-drained acid soil[7][10]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dry shade[6]. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2