Alchemilla

Alchemilla
Alchemilla vulgaris
Botanical illustration of Alchemilla vulgaris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Rosoideae
Tribe: Potentilleae
Subtribe: Fragariinae
Genus: Alchemilla
L.
Type species
A. vulgaris
Species

See text

Synonyms[1]
  • Alchimilla Mill.
  • Aphanes L.
  • Lachemilla (Focke) Rydb.
  • Percepier Moench
  • Zygalchemilla Rydb.

Alchemilla is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Rosaceae, with the common name lady's mantle applied generically as well as specifically to Alchemilla mollis when referred to as a garden plant. The plant used as a herbal tea or for medicinal usage such as gynaecological disorders is Alchemilla xanthochlora or in Middle Europe the so-called common lady's mantle Alchemilla vulgaris. There are about 700 species, the majority native to cool temperate and subarctic regions of Europe and Asia, with a few species native to the mountains of Africa and the Americas.[2]

Most species of Alchemilla are clump-forming or mounded perennials with basal leaves arising from woody rhizomes. Some species have leaves with lobes that radiate from a common point and others have divided leaves—both are typically fan-shaped with small teeth at the tips. The long-stalked, gray-green to green leaves are often covered with soft hairs, and show a high degree of water-resistance (see Lotus effect). Green to bright chartreuse flowers are small, have no petals and appear in clusters above the foliage in late spring and summer.

  1. ^ "Alchemilla L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Alchemilla L." Atlas of Living Australia. Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-02-11.