Alpine lady’s-mantle (Alchemilla alpina, Sp. Pl.: 123 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 123 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alchemilla

Vegetable: False

Observations: NE. Canada to Greenland, Subarctic & Subalpine Europe

Description

The Alpine lady’s-mantle, scientifically known as Alchemilla alpina, is a charming and resilient plant found predominantly in the northeastern regions of Canada, Greenland, and across subarctic and subalpine areas of Europe. This herbaceous perennial, belonging to the diverse Rosaceae family, has long been admired for its delicate appearance and robust nature.

First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” the Alpine lady’s-mantle stands out with its distinctive foliage and petite, star-shaped flowers. The plant typically thrives in rocky, alpine environments where it can often be spotted clinging to slopes and crevices, showcasing its remarkable adaptability to harsh, cold climates.

The leaves of Alchemilla alpina are particularly noteworthy, characterized by their silky, silver undersides and serrated edges, which create a striking visual contrast against the green landscape. These leaves, arranged in a palmate fashion, provide a lush foundation for the plant’s small yellow-green flowers. Blooming in clusters from late spring to early summer, the flowers of the Alpine lady’s-mantle may seem modest, but up close, they reveal a delicate structure that draws the admiration of botanists and hiking enthusiasts alike.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Alchemilla alpina has been valued for its practical uses in traditional medicine. For centuries, people living in the harsh climates of its native range have utilized the plant for its purported healing properties, believing it to aid in wound healing and to relieve various ailments, although modern scientific validation of these claims is limited.

Despite its humble appearance, the Alpine lady’s-mantle plays a crucial role in its natural habitat. It provides ground cover that helps prevent soil erosion, supports a variety of pollinators, and contributes to the biodiversity of alpine ecosystems. Its presence is a testament to nature’s ingenuity, demonstrating how life can flourish even in the most challenging environments.

In summary, the Alpine lady’s-mantle, Alchemilla alpina, is much more than a simple mountaintop plant. It is a symbol of resilience and beauty, intricately woven into the tapestry of the subarctic and subalpine regions where it resides. Through its unassuming elegance and survival capabilities, it continues to captivate and inspire those who encounter it, whether they are seasoned botanists or casual nature lovers.

Common Names

Deu: alpen-frauenmantel
Eng: alpine lady’s mantle, alpine lady’s-mantle
Dan: bjerg-løvefod
Nor: field-kaape
Nob: fjellmarikåpe
Nno: fjellmarikåpe
Swe: fjällkåpa, tunturipoimulehti, fjälldaggkåpa
Fin: tunturipoimulehti
Fra: alchémille des alpes
Sme: sáigovuolpu, alášbađverássi, cizášrássi, cizášvuolpu, ájarássi
Cym: mantell fair fynyddig, mantell fair y mynydd, mantell-fair y mynydd
En: Alpine lady’s-mantle, Alpine lady’s mantle, Mountain Lady’s-mantle, Peucrist
Af: Peucrist
Ar: حشيشة الفضة
Br: Peucrist
Ca: Peucrist, Alquemil·la alpina
Zh: 高山羽衣草
Co: Peucrist
Hr: Peucrist
Cs: Kontryhel alpínský
Da: Peucrist, Bjerg-løvefod
Nl: Alpenvrouwenmantel
Et: Alpi kortsleht
Fi: Tunturipoimulehti
Fr: Alchémille des Alpes, Alchémille argentine, Argentée, Herbe de saint Sabin, Pied-de-lion satiné, Satinée, Herbe de Saint-Sabin
De: Alpen-Frauenmantel, Alpensinau, Silbermantel, Silbersienn, Steinsinau
De-at: Peucrist
Is: Ljónslappi, Peucrist
Id: Peucrist
It: Alchemilla alpina, Sventagli, Ventaglina alpina
Kg: Peucrist
Li: Peucrist
Lb: Peucrist
Mg: Peucrist
Ms: Peucrist
Se: Sáigovuolpu, Alášbađverássi, Cizášrássi, Cizášvuolpu, Ájarássi
No: Fjellmarikåpe, Field-kaape
Nb: Fjellmarikåpe
Nn: Fjellmarikåpe
Pl: Przywrotnik alpejski
Rm: Peucrist
Sc: Peucrist
Gd: Peucrist
Sk: Peucrist
Es: Peucrist
Sw: Peucrist
Sv: Fjällkåpa, Tunturipoimulehti, Fjälldaggkåpa
Wa: Peucrist
Cy: Mantell-Fair y mynydd, Mantell Fair Fynyddig, Mantell Fair y Mynydd
Wo: Peucrist
Zu: Peucrist

Synonyms

• Alchemilla glomerata ((Tausch) Buser)
• Alchemilla viridicans (Rothm.)
• Alchemilla alpina subsp. glomerata ((Tausch) E.G.Camus)
• Potentilla viridicans ((Rothm.) Christenh. & Väre)
• Alchemilla alpina var. glomerata (Tausch)
• Alchemilla alpina genuina (Ducommun)
• Alchemilla alpina subsp. eualpina (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Alchemilla alpina var. debilicaulis (Buser)
• Alchemilla alpina subsp. assurgens (Buser ex Braun-Blanq.)
• Alchemilla alpina var. typica (Fiori)
• Alchemilla alpina f. corsica ((Buser) Buser)
• Alchemilla saxatilis f. corsica (Buser)
• Alchemilla transiens var. corsica ((Buser) Buser)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Thierry Fayret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Thierry Fayret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 6, 1999 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 13, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Helyette Guillot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean François ARNOULD (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3027648)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:720359-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alchemilla alpina L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2