Alpine Lady's Mantle

(Alchernilla alpina L. and Alchemil/a conjuncta Bab., Rosaceae

Description: Perennial herb 10-12cm (4-4.5in) high. Leaves 3-7cm (1-2-75in) diameter, petiolate, palmately divided into 5-7 (rarely 9) segments which are always somewhat plicate about the median vein;
Segments lanceolate, dark green, glabrous on the upper surface with silvery margins, downy and silverysilky on lower surface.
Flowers, small, indistinct, greenish-yellow, in small clusters on erect, branched stems.
Flowering: June-August.

Part Used: Dried leaves; also, rarely, for domestic use, the leaves and flowering shoots, which are of less value than the leaves alone.

Habitat and Collection: A. alpina is found in the principal mountain ranges of Europe.
Abundant in mountain pastures and on screes in Scotland, northern England and in Ireland.
A. conjuncta is found in the French and Swiss Alps; it is very rare in Britain.
Collected as early as possible (June to beginning of August) and dried in the shade and finally in sunlight.

Constituents, Action and Usage: Similar to lady's mantle. Alpine lady's mantle is traditionally considered to be the more effective, but this is not proved as yet.