Envoy at 05:23, 20 October 2007

2007-10-20T05:23:58Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Alchemilla''
| image = Alchemilla alpina.JPG
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Alchemilla alpina''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| genus = '''''Alchemilla'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
See text.
}}

'''''Alchemilla''''' is a genus of [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]]s in the [[Rosaceae]], commonly known as '''Lady's mantle'''. There are about 300 species, the majority native to cool temperate and subarctic regions of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]], but a few species also present on the mountains of [[Africa]], [[North America]] and [[South America]].

==Herbalism==
A leaf [[decoction]] is used to treat sore eyes, sore skin and also staunches bleeding. An [[infusion]] is used to regulate periods.<br/>
Active ingredients: [[tannins]], [[bitters]] and some [[essential oils]].

==Folklore==
The name ''alchemilla'' ("little magical one") derives from the [[dew]] which collects on it - dew being formerly associated with [[magic (paranormal)|magic]]. The dew was used as a beauty lotion by country people. [[Nicholas Culpeper]] claimed that the juice of this plant could firm up sagging [[breast]]s, while [[pillow]]s stuffed with it could bring on a good [[sleep]]. Modern herbalists use it to treat [[menopause]] and excessive [[menstruation]].<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'', (Century, 1987); p164</ref>

These plants are used as a food plant by some ''[[Lepidoptera]]'' species, including [[Pavonia pavonia|Emperor Moth]] and [[Grizzled Skipper]].

Some species, eg ''A. alpina'', are used by [[gardeners]] in rock gardens.

;Selected species

*''Alchemilla abyssinica''
*''Alchemilla acutiloba''
*''Alchemilla alpina'' : Lady's mantle
*''Alchemilla argyrophylla''
*''Alchemilla arvensis''
*''Alchemilla conjuncta''
*''Alchemilla elisabethae''
*''Alchemilla ellenbeckii''
*''Alchemilla epipsila''
*''Alchemilla erythropoda''
*''Alchemilla faeroensis''
*''Alchemilla filicaulis''
*''Alchemilla fulgens''
*''Alchemilla glabra''
*''Alchemilla glaucescens''
*''Alchemilla glomerulans''
*''Alchemilla gracilis''
*''Alchemilla hoppeana''
*''Alchemilla incisa''
*''Alchemilla japonica''
*''Alchemilla lapeyrousii''
*''Alchemilla minima''
*''[[Alchemilla mollis]]''
*''Alchemilla monticola''
*''Alchemilla pallens''
*''Alchemilla pentaphylla''
*''Alchemilla plicatula''
*''Alchemilla rigida''
*''Alchemilla sericata''
*''Alchemilla sericea''
*''Alchemilla speciosa''
*''Alchemilla subcrenata''
*''Alchemilla tytthantha''
*''Alchemilla venosa''
*''Alchemilla vetteri''
*''Alchemilla xanthochlora''

==References==
<references />

==gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Alchemilla mollis ies.jpg|Leaf and leaf-like, fused together [[stipule]]s of [[Alchemilla mollis]]
Image:Lady's Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris 2816px.jpg|Closeup of the leaves of ''Alchemilla vulgaris''
</gallery>

==Further Reading==
''Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain & Europe'', Dieter Podlech, Collins, London, 2001 ISBN 0261674056

[[Category:Rosaceae]]

Lady's Mantle - Revision history

Envoy at 05:23, 20 October 2007