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Rock Lady's-mantle

Alchemilla wichurae

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.

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, 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, 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 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:
Cliffs, grassland, mountains, rocky places.

Flower:
֍
Green, no petals
 
Clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers. Petalless.
Fruit:
The fruit is small and not noteworthy.
Leaves:
A small species of Lady's-mantle with roundish leaves, 7 to 11-lobed. Leaf stalks and the undersides of the leaf veins have appressed hairs. The rest of the plant is hairless. The teeth along the margins of the leaf are incurved. Perennial.
Other Names:
Grassland Lady's-mantle.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Rock lady's-mantle is a perennial herb in the rose family. It is native to the alpine regions of Europe and Asia. It 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 rock lady's-mantle 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 an ornamental plant, due to its attractive foliage and flowers. It is also known for its ability to grow in rocky and dry conditions and also for its drought tolerance.

Blog

Rock Lady's-mantle, also known as Alchemilla wichurae, is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the family Rosaceae. It is a small plant that typically grows up to 20-30 cm tall, and is native to the mountainous regions of Europe, including the Alps and the Carpathians. The plant is named after the alchemist's search for the philosopher's stone, as the plant's leaves have long been believed to have healing properties.

The plant has a unique appearance, with deeply-lobed leaves that are covered in small, hair-like structures that give the plant a soft, velvety texture. The leaves are arranged in a rosette at the base of the plant and have a dark green color. The flowers of Rock Lady's-mantle are small and yellow-green in color, and they bloom in the late spring to early summer.

One of the most interesting aspects of Rock Lady's-mantle is its medicinal properties. The plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine as a remedy for various ailments. The leaves contain astringent and anti-inflammatory compounds, and they have been used to treat wounds, skin irritation, and other conditions.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Rock Lady's-mantle also has ornamental value. The plant is often used in gardens and landscaping, as its unique texture and color make it an attractive addition to any garden. It is particularly well-suited to rock gardens and other naturalistic settings, where it can thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.

Growing Rock Lady's-mantle is relatively easy, and the plant can be propagated from seed or by dividing mature plants. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Once established, Rock Lady's-mantle requires little maintenance, and it is relatively pest and disease resistant.

Rock Lady's-mantle has a long history of use in traditional medicine. In the Middle Ages, it was used to treat wounds and stop bleeding. The plant's astringent properties help to tighten and soothe the skin, while its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation and swelling. The plant was also used to treat digestive problems, such as diarrhea and indigestion.

In modern times, Rock Lady's-mantle is still used in herbal medicine. It is often used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as to soothe and heal wounds. The plant's antioxidant properties may also make it useful in preventing or reducing the damage caused by free radicals.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Rock Lady's-mantle has been used in folklore and magic. In some traditions, the plant is said to have protective properties, and it is used in spells and charms to ward off evil spirits and negative energy. The plant has also been associated with femininity and fertility, and it is said to have the power to increase a woman's fertility and sexual attractiveness.

In addition to its medicinal and ornamental value, Rock Lady's-mantle has ecological importance as well. The plant is known to attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to the garden. This makes it a valuable addition to any garden, as it can help to promote biodiversity and support the local ecosystem.

Furthermore, Rock Lady's-mantle has been used in the production of cosmetics and personal care products. The plant's astringent properties make it useful in skin toners and cleansers, while its antioxidant properties make it a popular ingredient in anti-aging creams and serums.

When it comes to harvesting Rock Lady's-mantle for medicinal purposes, it is best to harvest the leaves when they are fully mature, but before the plant starts to flower. The leaves can be dried and stored for later use, or they can be used fresh. It is important to note, however, that like any medicinal plant, Rock Lady's-mantle should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Rock Lady's-mantle is also used in the production of herbal teas. The leaves of the plant are dried and used to make a tea that is said to have a slightly bitter, but pleasant taste. The tea is often used as a remedy for digestive problems, such as bloating and gas, as well as for menstrual cramps and other gynecological conditions.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Rock Lady's-mantle has cultural significance as well. In some cultures, the plant is associated with love and romance, and it is used in love spells and charms. The plant is also a symbol of femininity, and it has been used in artwork and literature to represent the feminine principle.

Finally, it's worth noting that there are several different species of Alchemilla, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. While Rock Lady's-mantle is perhaps the best-known and most widely used species, there are other species, such as Alchemilla mollis, which have their own medicinal and ornamental value. So if you are interested in exploring the world of Alchemilla, there is much to discover and enjoy.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map