Alchemilla alpina
| Alchemilla alpina | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 0.5' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Alchemilla alpina (common name: alpine lady's mantle)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 16°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on a cold frame for their first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer.
Division in spring or autumn. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we find it best to pot them up and keep them in a sheltered position until they are growing away well.
Cultivation: Easily grown in ordinary soil in sun or part shade[2][3]. Prefers a well-drained acid soil[4][5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dry shade[6].
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[3].
Range: Western and Northern Europe.
Habitat: Meadows, pastureland and woodland clearings, mainly on acid soils[4].
Edibility: The following uses are for A. vulgaris. They quite probably also apply for this species[K].
Young leaves - raw or cooked[7][8]. A dry, somewhat astringent flavour[K]. They can be mixed with the leaves of Polygonum bistorta and Polygonum persicaria then used in making a bitter herb pudding called 'Easter ledger' which is eaten during Lent[9][10].
Root - cooked. An astringent taste[11].
The leaves are used commercially in the blending of tea[8].
Medicinal: Lady's mantle has a long history of herbal use, mainly as an external treatment for cuts and wounds, and internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and a number of women's ailments, especially menstrual problems[12][13]. This plant, the alpine ladies mantle, has been shown to be more effective in its actions[5][14].
The herb is alterative, antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, styptic, tonic and vulnerary[11][8][12][15][16][17]. The leaves and flowering stems are best harvested as the plant comes into flower and can then be dried for later use[11]. The fresh root has similar and perhaps stronger properties to the leaves, but is less often used[11].
The plant is rich in tannin and so is an effective astringent and styptic, commonly used both internally and externally in the treatment of wounds[11]. It helps stop vaginal discharge and is also used as a treatment for excessive menstruation and to heal lesions after pregnancy[11][13]. Prolonged use can ease the discomfort of the menopause and excessive menstruation[14]. The freshly pressed juice is used to help heal skin troubles such as acne and a weak decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of conjunctivitis[13].
Pollinators: Apomictic
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.