Alchemilla wichurae

Alchemilla wichurae is a perennial herb in the family Rosaceae belonging to the taxonomically complex Alchemilla vulgaris aggregate (lady's mantle group). Like other members of the genus, it forms clumps of basal, fan-shaped, palmately lobed leaves with toothed margins arising from a woody rhizome. The leaves are notably water-repellent owing to a covering of soft hairs that hold droplets of dew on the surface. Inflorescences carry clusters of small, apetalous, green to chartreuse flowers in late spring and summer. The species is native to montane regions of Europe, typically growing in damp mountain pastures, meadows, rocky slopes and along stream sides. With around 700 species in the genus, distinguishing A. wichurae from related microspecies relies on details of leaf shape and indument and on its apomictic seed reproduction.