Alchemilla mollis

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Lady's Mantle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Genus: Alchemilla Species: A. mollis
Binomial name
Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis, Lady's Mantle, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to southern Europe, but grown throughout the world as an ornamental garden plant. The leaves are palmately veined, with a scalloped and serrated margin. The flowers are held in dense clusters above the foliage and are greenish-yellow.

The plant has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy. Since it contains tannin, the plant has astringent properties. It is also used by some as a gynecological treatment to suppress menstruation and reduce vagina irritation. No scientific studies have confirmed the beneficial effect of Alchemilla mollis as an herbal treatment.

The plant is primarily grown as a ground cover, and is especially valued for the leaves in wet weather, as the water beads and sparkles on the leaves.

These beads of water were considered by alchemists to be the purest form of water. They utilised this water in their quest to turn base metal into gold. Hence the name "Alchemilla".