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Hairy Lady's-mantle

Alchemilla monticola

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
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Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose)

Also in this family:

Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

20 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Gardens, grassland, meadows.

Flower:

Green, no petals

The flowers are petalless, greenish-yellow and appear together in small clusters.

Fruit:

Fruits are relatively small and insignificant. Not particularly noteworthy.

Leaves:

The leaves are roundish with 9 to 11 leaf-lobes. The edges of the leaves have teeth which are sharply pointed and incurved. The plant is hairy all over except for the flowers. Perennial.

Frequency (UK):

Rarely seen

Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle

Broadtooth Lady's-mantle

Least Lady's-mantle

Summary

Hairy lady's-mantle is a perennial herb in the rose family. It is native to Europe and Asia and is known for its large, hairy leaves that are typically arranged in a rosette at the base of the plant. The plant produces small, yellow flowers in the summer, and the leaves are typically green, but can sometimes have red or purple tinges. It is not commonly used as an ornamental plant in gardens, but it can be used medicinally.

Blog

Hairy Lady's-mantle, Alchemilla monticola, is a beautiful and unique plant that belongs to the family of Rosaceae. This herbaceous perennial is native to the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, where it can be found growing in rocky and alpine areas. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating characteristics of this plant and its various uses.

Appearance and Characteristics

Hairy Lady's-mantle is a low-growing plant that reaches a height of around 10-20cm. It has hairy, deeply-lobed leaves that are rounded in shape and have a velvety texture. The leaves are arranged in a basal rosette, and they have a distinctive cupped shape that allows them to collect and retain rainwater. The plant produces clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers in late spring and early summer, which are borne on slender, hairy stems.

One of the most interesting features of Hairy Lady's-mantle is its leaves, which are covered in tiny hairs that give them a silvery appearance. These hairs also help to repel water, which means that raindrops form into beads that sit on the leaves like pearls. This effect is known as the "beading" effect and has led to Hairy Lady's-mantle being commonly used in traditional medicine and cosmetic products.

Uses

Hairy Lady's-mantle has a long history of use in traditional medicine, dating back to ancient times. It was believed to have a variety of healing properties, including as a treatment for wounds, skin conditions, and digestive disorders. Today, the plant is still used in herbal medicine as a natural remedy for a range of ailments, including menstrual cramps, diarrhea, and inflammation.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Hairy Lady's-mantle is also used in cosmetic products. The beading effect of the leaves has led to the plant being used in skincare products, where it is believed to help retain moisture and improve the appearance of the skin. The plant is also used in perfumes, where its subtle fragrance is appreciated.

Cultivation

Hairy Lady's-mantle is a hardy plant that is relatively easy to grow. It prefers well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position. The plant can be propagated from seed or by dividing established clumps. Once established, it requires minimal care, and it can even tolerate periods of drought.

More Information

Hairy Lady's-mantle is not only a fascinating plant, but it also plays an important role in the ecosystem. The plant's cupped leaves are an ideal habitat for a variety of insects, including beetles and spiders, which are attracted to the moisture and shelter provided by the leaves. The plant also attracts butterflies and bees, making it an important source of nectar for pollinators.

In addition to its ecological benefits, Hairy Lady's-mantle has also been used in the culinary world. The young leaves of the plant can be eaten raw or cooked and are said to have a slightly tart and tangy flavor. They can be added to salads or used as a garnish for various dishes.

However, it is important to note that like with any other plant, proper identification and preparation are essential before consuming. It is always recommended to consult a professional before using any plant for culinary or medicinal purposes.

Another interesting fact about Hairy Lady's-mantle is that it has been associated with alchemy in the past. The plant's name, Alchemilla, is derived from the Latin word "alchemia," which means alchemy. According to some historical accounts, alchemists believed that the dew collected in the plant's cupped leaves contained magical properties and was essential for their experiments.

Aside from its historical and cultural significance, Hairy Lady's-mantle has also been studied for its potential health benefits. Some studies have suggested that the plant may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could make it useful in the treatment of certain diseases. However, more research is needed to confirm these potential health benefits.

Overall, Hairy Lady's-mantle is a unique and versatile plant with a rich history and a wide range of uses. Whether you are interested in traditional medicine, cosmetics, or simply appreciate the beauty of nature, this plant is a fascinating subject to explore. With its distinctive beading effect, cupped leaves, and delicate flowers, Hairy Lady's-mantle is a true gem of the plant world.

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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Hairy Lady's-mantle

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Plant Profile

Similar Species

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