Alchemilla

It is thought that vegetative reproduction, from stems growing horizontally along the ground (known as stolons), may be more important in this species than sexual reproduction via seeds (3).

Monitoring of the existing population in order to determine whether it is undergoing a decline is urgently needed (1).

This small silvery herb is a subspecies of Alchemilla fischeri, and is only known from the summit of a single mountain. The leaf blades have 7 - 9 lobes and are covered with a thick layer of silvery hairs, which feel velvety to the touch (2). Plants are found growing together in a continuous silvery carpet that is around 5 x 20 - 30 metres in area (3).

Inhabits rocky grassland and scrub at around 2,800 - 3,000 metres above sea level (1).

Found on the summit of Mount Oku in Cameroon, West Africa (1).

Classified as Critically Endangered (CR - B1+2c) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (1).

This subspecies is particularly vulnerable, as it is only known from a single location where it is at inherent risk from any chance event such as fire. Grazing by livestock such as cattle or sheep also threaten the survival of this rare plant. Furthermore, damage by insect larvae is thought to be a problem (1).