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Alchemilla xanthochlora - Rothm.

Common Name Lady's Mantle
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist meadows, open woods, pastures and also on rock ledges in mountainous areas[9, 244].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Spain and east to Poland.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Alchemilla xanthochlora Lady


(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010
Alchemilla xanthochlora Lady

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Alchemilla xanthochlora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Ground Cover; Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked[5, 7]. 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[177, 183]. Root - cooked. An astringent taste[4]. The leaves are used commercially in the blending of tea[7].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Alterative  Antirheumatic  Astringent  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  Sedative  Styptic  
Tonic  Vulnerary

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[9, 244]. The herb is alterative, antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, styptic, tonic and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 165]. The leaves and flowering stems are best harvested as the plant comes into flower and can then be dried for later use[4]. The fresh root has similar and perhaps stronger properties to the leaves, but is less often used[4]. 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[4]. It helps stop vaginal discharge and is also used as a treatment for excessive menstruation and to heal lesions after pregnancy[4, 244]. Prolonged use can ease the discomfort of the menopause and excessive menstruation[268]. 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[244].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A useful ground cover plant, though somewhat slow to spread[197].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in ordinary soil in sun or part shade[1, 233]. Prefers a well-drained neutral or basic soil[1, 17]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dry shade[188]. An aggregate species that includes A. mollis and A. speciosa[1]. This plant is listed as A. xanthochlora. Rothm. in 'Flora Europaea'[50]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 16°c[133]. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Alchemilla alpinaAlpine Lady's Mantle, Mountain Lady's MantlePerennial0.2 3-7 MLMHSNDM23 
Alchemilla mollisLady's-mantlePerennial0.6 3-8 MLMHFSNM003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Rothm.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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Readers comment

Johanna   Fri Jul 17 2009

How can I plant this in my garden?

david   Fri Jul 17 2009

Joanna, see under "Cultivation details" above, it is usually an easy plant to grow

   Jun 27 2011 12:00AM

Here where I live in South Iceland, its Lady Mantle kingdom. Alchemilla Filicaulis, the native Lady Mantle grows everywhere, because I suppose the cool and wet summer is just the perfect climate for Lady Mantles. I think they grow well in shady and humid places in southern countries. Here in Iceland, we have several species of Alchemilla, very identical to each other. Some have hairs over the pecioles, others not. The Alchemilla Mollis, the common one, has much larger hairy leaves, that are very soft, and flowers later than the other species. I think the other Alchemilla species are more beautiful because they flower much more abundantly in a beautiful carpet of golden-yellow flowers. The flowers have a nice sweet but rather peculiar scent. They grow well after division. The A.Alpina has much smaller incised leaves, and grows in more cold and exposed habitats here in Iceland. But as I can see here, all Alchemillas are very cold hardy.

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