Alchemilla glabra Neygenf.
Lady's-mantle [Alchemilla glabra]
Smooth lady's-mantle is a clump-forming perennial of the rose family and a genuine British native, common across Scotland, northern England and Wales but largely absent from the south. As its name suggests, it is almost hairless, which sets it apart from its downier relatives.
![Alchemilla glabra (Lady's-mantle [Alchemilla glabra])](/wildflower-catalogue/images/alchemilla-glabra.webp)
About
Smooth lady's-mantle is a clump-forming perennial of the rose family and a genuine British native, common across Scotland, northern England and Wales but largely absent from the south. As its name suggests, it is almost hairless, which sets it apart from its downier relatives. The rounded, shallowly lobed leaves are softly pleated like a folded fan and famously cup beads of dew and rain, while airy sprays of tiny, petal-less, yellow-green flowers are carried just above the foliage through early and midsummer.
It is most at home in damp, neutral grassland, being a characteristic plant of traditional upland hay meadows and pastures, where it can grow in real abundance. It also turns up on roadside verges, herb-rich banks, rocky river gorges and high mountain ledges. Easy and unfussy, it makes excellent weave-through ground cover in meadow mixes and naturalistic borders, and the gathered foliage is a long-standing favourite for cutting and flower arranging.
Also known as
Smooth Lady's-mantle · smooth lady's mantle · smooth lady's-mantle
Synonyms
Alchemilla alpestris · Alchemilla alpestris aestivalis · Alchemilla alpestris autumnalis · Alchemilla alpestris latiloba · Alchemilla alpestris rilaensis · Alchemilla alpestris subreniformis · Alchemilla alpestris typica · Alchemilla conglomerata · Alchemilla glabra alpestris
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.