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| 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 vaginal 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. This is due to the remarkable dewetting properties of the leaves, whereby the contact force between the water and the leaf is so disfavoured that a thin layer of air penetrates the solid-liquid interface.
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".
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Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 14 November 2008, at 17:14.
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