lady's mantle

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alchemilla vulgaris var. acutangula
• Alchemilla pratensis var. vulgaris
• Alchemilla vulgaris var. leiocalycina
• Alchemilla vulgaris var. ambigens
• Alchemilla sylvestris var. acutangula
• Alchemilla palmata subsp. acutangula
• Alchemilla acutiloba f. glabriuscula
• Alchemilla acutiloba f. gracilior
• Alchemilla acutiloba var. stellata
• Alchemilla acutiloba var. pontica
• Alchemilla acutiloba subsp. pontica
• Alchemilla acutiloba f. intonsa
• Alchemilla pratensis f. autumnalis
• Alchemilla pratensis var. acutangula
• Alchemilla pratensis f. aestivalis
• Alchemilla pontica
• Alchemilla latifolia
• Alchemilla semihirta
• Alchemilla acutiloba f. adpressepilosa
• Alchemilla acutiloba f. altissima
• Alchemilla acutangula
• Alchemilla acutangula var. adpressepilosa
• Alchemilla acutangula f. autumnalis
• Alchemilla acutangula var. micantoides
• Alchemilla vulgaris subsp. acutangula
• Alchemilla vulgaris subsp. assurgens
• Potentilla acutiloba
• Alchemilla acutiloba

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. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Alchemilla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands and coastal areas of Great Britain. The species is also well-documented throughout the landscapes of Norway. Finally, its range includes the various territories located in Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alchemilla vulgaris is characterized by its preference for transitional and open environments, primarily thriving in forest edges and meadows. These habitats provide the ideal balance of light availability and soil moisture necessary for its development. In forest edges, the plant benefits from the dappled sunlight and the structural diversity of the vegetation, while in meadow ecosystems, it occupies niches where it can compete effectively among various grasses and herbaceous perennials. Its distribution within these areas is often dictated by soil composition and the level of disturbance, allowing it to colonize spaces that sit between dense woodland and open grassland.

Habitat :

forest edges, meadows

Life history

The life history of Alchemilla vulgaris is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. 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 specific life form, classified both as a hemicryptophyte and under the broader category of hemicryptophyte growth strategies, enables the species to effectively manage its seasonal cycles and maintain its presence within its ecological niche over long durations.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alchemilla vulgaris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, existing as a terrestrial plant that is entirely independent and does not function as a parasite or epiphyte. This herb exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, lacking any climbing or vine-like tendencies, and features an ascending shoot orientation. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.7 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.37 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height mean:

0.37 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alchemilla vulgaris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies under typical environmental conditions. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrients for mineral uptake rather than capturing prey. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 186.5 cm²/g, a physiological trait that reflects its leaf morphology and its strategy for optimizing light interception and gas exchange relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

186.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alchemilla vulgaris involves a combination of sexual and asexual processes, as asexual reproduction is present in the species. The flowering period typically occurs between June and July, though the timing can be variable. During the flowering stage, the plant utilizes a pollination syndrome categorized as "other," which does not fall into the standard categories of wind, water, or common specific insect types. Following pollination, the plant develops 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 extremely lightweight, with a mean mass of 0.00048 g and a range spanning from a minimum of 0.00037 g to a maximum of 0.00037 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous mechanism, specifically via epizoochory, where the seeds are transported by attaching to animals.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

other

Reproduction asexual :

present

Seed mass max:

0.00037 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00048 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alchemilla vulgaris has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Alchemilla vulgaris has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Agrimoniin, Gallic acid, Pedunculagin, RUTIN.

CATECHIN

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Scientific reports

Agrimoniin

1. Journal of AOAC International

Gallic acid

1. Journal of AOAC International

Pedunculagin

1. Journal of AOAC International

RUTIN

1. Scientific reports

Tannin

1. Journal of applied microbiology

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ellagic acid

1. Journal of AOAC International

gentisic acid

1. Scientific reports

p-coumaric acid

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Alchemilla vulgaris has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antigenotoxic, Astringent.

Antioxidant

1. Food technology and biotechnology
2. Scientific reports

Antigenotoxic

1. Scientific reports

Astringent

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Alchemilla vulgaris has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, bone diseases, burns, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal diseases.

Arthritis

1. Planta medica

Bone diseases

1. Planta medica

Burns

1. Planta medica

Diabetes mellitus

1. Diabetologia

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hyperphagia

1. Diabetologia

Overweight

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Polydipsia

1. Diabetologia

Rheumatism

1. Planta medica

Weight loss

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Alchemilla vulgaris has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous infusions, hydroalcoholic extracts.

Aqueous infusions

1. Food technology and biotechnology

Hydroalcoholic extracts

1. Planta medica