This is a genus of plants from the northern temperate regions of the world including Europe, Asia and North America . There are about 250 species of Alchemilla. It is closely related to the genera Acaena and Sanguisorba.

These plants were supposedly used in alchemy (magically producing gold or other precious metals from base metals). The name is a Latinized version of the original Arabic name.

Lady's mantle is used primarily for its foliage. The flowers are not spectacular at all. Its foliage will carry beads of moisture after a rain or heavy morning dew.