Alchemilla xanthochlora Rothm., Intermediate Lady's-mantle

Native, frequent. European temperate.

1900; Praeger, R.Ll.; Lower Lough Macnean.

Throughout the year.

This apomictic perennial has been frequently recorded in Fermanagh across a total of 115 tetrads, 21.8% of those in the VC. In terms of local frequency, it only just ranks second to A. glabra (Smooth Lady's-mantle), but it is considerably more widespread than the latter in tetrad terms. At the same time, both species are much more frequently found in the western half of the county, in ground lying SW of Lough Erne and, as the tetrad distribution map shows, A. xanthochlora is only thinly scattered elsewhere in the VC.

A. xanthochlora is recognised by the degree of hairiness of its stems and leaf stalks (petioles), which are more or less clothed with spreading hairs; it is distinguished from the very much hairier (and less frequent) A. filicaulis subsp. vestita (a Hairy Lady’s-mantle), by the fact that its leaf blades are hairy only on their underside and the inflorescence stalks are hairless, or almost so (Webb et al. 1996).

A. xanthochlora and A. glabra both prefer damp to constantly moist grassland habitats in a wide variety of situations, semi-natural to definitely man-managed. However, A. xanthochlora also shows a definite affinity with base-rich or calcareous soils, chiefly in lowland sites, while A. glabra generally favours more upland conditions. The local habitats of A. xanthochlora include grassland in open areas within damp woods, wayside verges, stream and ditch banks, lakeshores, cliffs, screes and quarries. It is certainly most frequently found on neutral or lime-rich soils, or on heavier clay.

The New Atlas hectad map indicates that A. xanthochlora is widespread in northern and western Britain, although absent from the more acidic, peaty conditions of much of N & W Scotland, including all the more offshore isles. In S & E England, it is very much more rare and scattered, while in Ireland this species again displays a northern and central island distribution, becoming rarer and much more scattered both southwards and westwards in the Republic. When compared with the earlier BSBI Atlas (1976), the distribution pattern appears quite stable with few losses.