Alchemilla xanthochlora
| Alchemilla xanthochlora | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Alchemilla xanthochlora (common name: 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 neutral or basic soil[2][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dry shade[5].
An aggregate species that includes A. mollis and A. speciosa[2].
This plant is listed as A. xanthochlora. Rothm. in 'Flora Europaea'[6].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[3].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Spain and east to Poland.
Habitat: Moist meadows, open woods, pastures and also on rock ledges in mountainous areas[7][8].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked[9][10]. 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[11][12].
Root - cooked. An astringent taste[13].
The leaves are used commercially in the blending of tea[10].
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[7][8].
The herb is alterative, antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, styptic, tonic and vulnerary[13][10][7][14][15][16]. The leaves and flowering stems are best harvested as the plant comes into flower and can then be dried for later use[13]. The fresh root has similar and perhaps stronger properties to the leaves, but is less often used[13].
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[13]. It helps stop vaginal discharge and is also used as a treatment for excessive menstruation and to heal lesions after pregnancy[13][8]. Prolonged use can ease the discomfort of the menopause and excessive menstruation[17]. 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[8].
Usage: A useful ground cover plant, though somewhat slow to spread[18].
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.
Also Known As: A. mollis. A. speciosa. A. xanthochlora. Rothm.
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 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.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.