Image of Alchemilla flabelata

Description:

Slo.: pahljaastolistna plahtica, pahljaastolistni rosnik - Habitat: High mountain pasture, moderately inclined, slightly south west oriented, slope, calcareous ground, full sun, dry place, exposed to direct rain, average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 0-2 deg C, elevation 2.000 m (6.550 feet), alpine phytogeographical region. - Substratum: soil among stones and rocks. - Comment: There are many species of the genus Alchemillaand they are difficult to be determined. Frankly, this is possible with certainty only to specialists. See details in the comments to my pictures of Alchemilla glaucescens (here on Flicker). I've mostly based my determination on excellent picture and description in the Ref.:(1). I hope it is correct but I can't guarantee. - Most plants in the genus Alchemilla are, in spite of small, modestly colored and unremarkable flowers very beautiful particularly after light rain or in dense morning fog. Their hairy leaves abundantly collect small droplets of dew, giving them silvery appearance. The translation of Slovenian name 'rosnik' means 'dew-flower' and also German name 'Silbermantel', meaning 'Silver coat', points to their silvery costume jewelry. - Alchemilla flabelata is common in this region of Mangart's flats. Otherwise the plant grows scattered almost in the whole of South Alps. It can be found also on north side of the Alps (Ref.:(2)), but it is much rarer there. - Ref.: (1) T. Wraber, 2 x Sto alpskih rastlin na Slovenskem (2 x Hundred Alpine Plants of Slovenia), Preernova druba (2006) (in Slovene), p 87. (2) M.A. Fischer, W. Adler, K. Oswald, Exkursionsflora sterreich Liechtenstein, Sdtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 502. (3) A. Martini et all., Mala Flora Slovenije, Tehnina Zaloba Slovenije (2007) (in Slovene), p 260.