Alpine lady’s mantle
Alchemilla alpina
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A small perennial herb. It has a creeping woody rootstock and forms mats. It grows 0.15 m high and spreads 0.15 m wide. The leaves are greyish green on top and silvery underneath. They have long stalks. The flowers are greenish-yellow and small.
There are about 250-300 Alchemilla species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in northern and western Europe on acid soils. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows on a range of soils but does best on well drained acid soils. It can grow in sun or part shade. In Hobart Botanical gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Britain (country/location of origin), Europe, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The root is eaten cooked. The leaves are used to blend tea.
Edible parts
Leaves, root, leaves - tea
How it is grown
It is grown from seed sown in the spring. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 16°C. Plants can also be grown by division of the clump.
Its other names
Local names
Frauenmantel, Porta-rozo