Lady’s mantle

Why does the herb have yellow or brown leaves?

Towards the end of their growththe green leaves of herbs increasingly turn yellow and brown. This indicates that the plant is preparing for winter and increasingly suspends photosynthesis. This process depends on climatic conditions such as sunshine duration, temperature and soil moisture. Due to Arosa's altitude, the nights get cold very early, causing discoloration to beginalreadyin late summer. But do not worry: in spring the herb sprouts anew and shines again in rich green.

Alchemy

Lady’s mantle pumps excess water up from its shoots, where it then bubbles on the edge of the leaves. Alchemists believed that they needed this powerful “moon water” in order to produce the philosopher’s stone. In poetic terms, the “lady” hides this alchemical elixir in her “womb”, and wears a “mantle” in order to protect it. This is where the name comes from.