Alchemilla

Herbs, perennial, 0.2–4(–8) dm; rhizomatous, often forming woody stock. Stems 1–6(–10), decumbent to ascending or erect, usually pubescent or puberulent, rarely glabrous. Leaves not persistent, basal in rosette, alternate, usually simple, sometimes palmately compound; stipules persistent, adnate to petiole, proximally connate opposite petiole (abpetiolar fusion), semiorbiculate to ovate, margins lobed or dentate; petiole present; blade (of simple leaves) reniform to orbiculate, sometimes reniform-orbiculate, 1–15 × 1.5–15 cm, usually palmately 7–9(–11)-lobed, sometimes palmately compound with 5–7 leaflets, margins flat or undulate, crenate to dentate, venation palmate, that of lobes or leaflets pinnate, surfaces usually pubescent or glabrous, sometimes sericeous; cauline: stipules relatively large, variously colored, becoming brownish at maturity or on drying, toothed or lobed, petiole shorter, lobes 3–7(–11), often shallow. Inflorescences terminal, multi-flowered, cymes, much-branched; flowers ± aggregated into clusters of 5–15, glabrous or densely pubescent; bracts usually absent; bracteoles absent. Pedicels present. Flowers 2–4 mm diam.; epicalyx bractlets 4; hypanthium urceolate, 1.5–2.5 mm, glabrous or sparsely to densely pubescent; sepals 4, usually erect to spreading, rarely reflexed (A. glomerulans), ovate, glabrous or pubescent; petals 0; stamens 4, inserted outside nectar-secreting receptacular disc almost closing hypanthium, alternating with sepals, anthers often poorly developed; torus absent; carpel 1 (rarely, A. filicaulis, lowermost flower in a monochasium with 2), styles basal, stigmas capitate, ± exserted from hypanthia; ovules 1(–2). Fruits achenes, 1, ovoid, 2–2.5 mm, smooth; hypanthium persistent; sepals persistent, spreading or erect; styles persistent. x = 8.

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Alchemilla

Alchemilla

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