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Caucasian Lady's-mantle

Alchemilla venosa

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.
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Contents

Plant Profile

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, 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, Hairy 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:
30 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, meadows, riversides, wasteland, waterside, wetland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, no petals
 
Tiny, greenish or yellowish flowers. Petals are absent.
Fruit:
The fruits are small and insignificant.
Leaves:
Caucasian Lady's-mantle is a compact, clump-forming perennial with almost hairless, deeply lobed, roundish leaves. The softly hairy leaves are toothed around the edges. Garden escape species.
Other Names:
Boreal Lady's-mantle, Clustered Lady's-mantle.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Alchemilla venosa is a species of lady's mantle in the rose family. It is native to the Alps and the Pyrenees. It is a perennial herb that is known for its large, lobed leaves and small, yellow-green flowers. The leaves are often used for medicinal purposes, and are said to have astringent, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Some studies suggest that Alchemilla venosa may have potential as a treatment for certain types of cancer, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. The plant is also used as ornamental plant, due to its attractive foliage and flowers. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and to stop bleeding.

Blog

Caucasian Lady's-mantle, or Alchemilla venosa, is a stunning perennial plant that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This plant is native to the Caucasus region in southeastern Europe and western Asia, and it is widely admired for its unique appearance and the numerous health benefits that it offers.

Appearance and Characteristics

Caucasian Lady's-mantle is a low-growing plant that typically reaches a height of 15-30 centimeters. It has a basal rosette of leaves that are deeply lobed and can be up to 10 centimeters in diameter. The leaves are bright green in color and have a velvety texture, which is a unique feature of the plant. The leaves also have small, silvery hairs on their undersides, giving them a shimmering appearance.

In the summer months, the plant produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that are arranged in clusters. These flowers are not particularly showy, but they do attract a wide variety of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. After flowering, the plant produces small, rounded fruit that are filled with tiny seeds.

Health Benefits

Caucasian Lady's-mantle has a long history of use in traditional medicine, and it is believed to offer a range of health benefits. The plant contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which are responsible for its medicinal properties.

One of the most well-known benefits of Caucasian Lady's-mantle is its ability to heal wounds and promote skin health. The plant contains high levels of tannins, which have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make the plant useful in the treatment of minor cuts, burns, and other skin irritations.

The plant is also believed to have antimicrobial properties, which make it effective in the treatment of infections. Studies have shown that the plant's extracts can inhibit the growth of a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Caucasian Lady's-mantle is also valued for its cosmetic properties. The plant's extracts are used in a variety of skincare products, such as creams and lotions, due to their ability to improve skin texture and tone.

Cultivation

Caucasian Lady's-mantle is a hardy plant that is easy to grow and care for. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, although it can also tolerate full sun. The plant can be propagated by division in the spring or fall, and it can also be grown from seed.

Once established, the plant requires minimal maintenance. It should be watered regularly during dry spells, and the old foliage should be cut back in the fall to make way for new growth in the spring.

Uses in Traditional Medicine

Caucasian Lady's-mantle has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in the Caucasus region where it is native. The plant has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including diarrhea, dysentery, respiratory infections, and menstrual disorders.

The plant is also believed to have diuretic properties, which can help to increase urine production and promote kidney health. Additionally, it is thought to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help to alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation.

Uses in Skincare

Caucasian Lady's-mantle is also valued for its cosmetic properties. The plant's extracts are used in a variety of skincare products, such as creams, lotions, and serums, due to their ability to improve skin texture and tone.

The plant's high levels of tannins and flavonoids make it particularly effective in the treatment of acne-prone and oily skin. These compounds help to reduce inflammation and regulate sebum production, which can help to prevent breakouts and promote a clear complexion.

In addition to its acne-fighting properties, Caucasian Lady's-mantle is also believed to have anti-aging benefits. The plant's extracts are rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from free radical damage and promote a youthful, radiant appearance.

Other Uses

Caucasian Lady's-mantle has a number of other uses as well. The plant's leaves are edible and can be used in salads, soups, and other dishes. The leaves have a slightly bitter taste, which can be offset by mixing them with milder greens.

The plant is also used in landscaping and gardening, particularly in rock gardens and as a groundcover. Its low-growing habit and attractive foliage make it a popular choice for borders and edging.

Conservation Status

While Caucasian Lady's-mantle is not considered to be endangered, it is still important to conserve and protect the plant's natural habitat. The species occurs naturally in the Caucasus Mountains, where it grows in subalpine meadows and rocky areas. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation due to human activities such as logging, urbanization, and agriculture pose a threat to the species.

To help conserve the species, efforts are being made to establish protected areas in the region where the plant occurs. Additionally, initiatives are underway to raise awareness about the importance of conserving the species and its habitat, and to promote sustainable land-use practices that will benefit both the plant and local communities.

Cultural Significance

Caucasian Lady's-mantle has played an important role in the cultural history of the regions where it occurs. In traditional folklore, the plant was believed to have mystical powers, and it was associated with various myths and legends.

For example, in Georgian mythology, Caucasian Lady's-mantle was believed to have the power to grant wishes. In Armenian mythology, the plant was associated with the goddess Anahit, who was believed to have healing powers. In Azerbaijani folklore, the plant was associated with the spirit of the forest, and it was believed to have the power to protect travelers from harm.

In modern times, the plant continues to be valued for its cultural and historical significance, as well as its aesthetic and therapeutic properties. It is used in a variety of cultural and religious ceremonies, as well as in the production of traditional crafts and textiles.

Conclusion

Caucasian Lady's-mantle is a fascinating and multifaceted plant that offers a range of benefits and cultural significance. With its unique appearance, therapeutic properties, and rich cultural history, it is a plant that continues to captivate and inspire people around the world. By conserving its natural habitat and promoting sustainable land-use practices, we can help to ensure that this remarkable species continues to thrive for generations to come.