Common lady's mantle Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 3,863 found this helpful

Alchemilla vulgaris L.; Alchemilla xanthochlora aggr.; Alchemilla pratensis auct.

No confirmed toxic effects are reported for this species across humans and common domestic animals

Tannin content gives it an astringent taste, so grazing livestock voluntarily avoid it when it makes up over 10% of pasture forage

All other Alchemilla species are confirmed non-toxic, with no harmful misidentification risks

FAQ

Is Common lady's mantle toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content (Non-toxic)

Is Common lady's mantle toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content (Non-toxic)

Is Common lady's mantle toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content (Non-toxic)

Is Common lady's mantle toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms; very large ingestions may cause mild temporary gastrointestinal upset from tannin content

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic plant parts confirmed; above-ground forage is safe for livestock consumption at appropriate concentrations

Exposure RouteOral ingestion is the only potential exposure route; no dermal or inhaled toxicity has been reported

Toxic CompoundsTannins; Calcium; Magnesium

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth with clean water if large quantities of the plant are ingested to remove residual plant matter
• Monitor for mild gastrointestinal signs (loose stools, nausea) for 2 to 4 hours post-exposure
• Offer small amounts of fresh water to reduce potential tannin-related stomach irritation

Contact Vet Immediately

• Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy occurs more than 4 hours after ingestion of large plant quantities
• Your grazing horse shows unexplained reduced feed intake after access to pasture with >10% Alchemilla content
• You are uncertain if the ingested plant is Common lady's mantle or a potentially toxic lookalike species

Prevention

• Maintain pasture composition to keep Common lady's mantle levels below 10% to support consistent livestock grazing
• Store dried forage containing this plant away from unsupervised small pets that may chew unfamiliar plant matter
• Learn to identify Common lady's mantle correctly to avoid misidentification with potentially toxic lookalike plants

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care including GI protectants and fluid therapy for rare cases of severe tannin-related gastrointestinal upset
• No specific antidote is required, as no severe toxic effects have been documented for this species
• Adjust pasture composition if livestock avoid grazing due to high concentrations of this plant

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAlchemilla vulgaris L.; Alchemilla xanthochlora aggr.; Alchemilla pratensis auct.

AliasesGemeiner Frauenmantel (German common name)、Alchémille commune (French common name)、Ventaglina comune (Italian common name)

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tract (only mild irritation reported at extremely high intake doses)

Mechanism of Action

• High doses of tannins may cause mild astringent irritation of the gastrointestinal lining; no other toxic mechanisms are known for this species

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Grazing cattle and sheep: Safe to consume at pasture concentrations below 10%; the astringent taste leads to voluntary avoidance at higher concentrations with no toxic effects

Domestic small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): No confirmed toxicity; can be safely included as a minor component of fresh forage mixes

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Lady's mantle species Alchemilla spp.

All other Alchemilla species are visually very similar to Common lady's mantle, and all are confirmed non-toxic with no associated safety risks

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Related Toxic Plants

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

High toxicity, contains fatal cyanogenic glycosides

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Moderate toxicity, dangerous for grazing livestock and pets if wilted foliage is ingested

Firethorn

Pyracantha coccinea

Low toxicity, causes mild gastrointestinal upset if large quantities of berries or foliage are ingested

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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