lady's-mantle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• garden lady's-mantle
• soft lady's-mantle
• Lady's-Mantle
• Lady's mantle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Potentilla alchemollis
• Alchemilla acutiloba var. mollis
• Alchemilla vulgaris var. major
• Alchemilla mollis f. aprica
• Alchemilla mollis f. catillaris
• Alchemilla acutiloba subsp. mollis
• Alchemilla acutiloba subsp. catillaris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized into the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Rosales, and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Alchemilla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. Its presence extends to the North Atlantic islands, specifically within the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Additionally, the species is well-established throughout the British Isles, including Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define the primary natural range for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alchemilla mollis is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish stable colonies over time. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable periods. This life form, specifically categorized under both hemicryptophyte classifications, enables the plant to endure seasonal shifts by maintaining its vital structures close to the ground level, ensuring its ability to regenerate and expand its presence in its natural habitat year after year.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alchemilla mollis is characterized by its growth form as a herbaceous forb, typically exhibiting a self-supporting structure without the need for climbing or vining mechanisms. It is an independent plant that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habitat rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. The plant displays variable woodiness, which is common among many perennial herbs of this type. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Alchemilla mollis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a method of carbon fixation common to most temperate plant species. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on autotrophic processes and soil nutrient uptake rather than the digestion of prey. Morphologically, it features significant leaf surface area with a mean leaf size of 73.2825 cm², which facilitates efficient light interception. This leaf structure is further defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 157.5 cm²/g, indicating a leaf morphology that balances biomass investment with the surface area required for gas exchange and photosynthesis.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

73.2825 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

157.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alchemilla mollis involves both sexual and asexual processes, as asexual reproduction is known to be present in this species. The flowering period typically begins in June and extends through August, though the timing can be variable. During the flowering stage, the plant utilizes a pollination syndrome categorized as "other," indicating it does not rely on standard specialized vectors like bees or birds but rather a different mechanism. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release seeds. The resulting seeds are remarkably small, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.000199 g. Regarding seed dispersal, the plant exhibits an unspecialized syndrome, though it is also noted to be anthropochorous, suggesting that human activity plays a role in its distribution.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

other

Reproduction asexual :

present

Seed mass mean:

0.000199 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alchemilla mollis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Natural product communications

Tannins

1. Natural product communications

Activities

Alchemilla mollis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Styptic.

Styptic

1. Natural product communications

Conditions

Alchemilla mollis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include influenza virus, sore throat.

Influenza virus

1. Drug discoveries & therapeutics

Sore throat

1. Drug discoveries & therapeutics

Preparations

Alchemilla mollis has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include "Herba Alchemillae", Alchemilla mollis extract.

"herba alchemillae"

1. Natural product communications

Alchemilla mollis extract

1. Drug discoveries & therapeutics